Pothole poses problems for drivers - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

There's a pest on the Powhite. It's costing one driver a lot of money and frustration.

It's a gaping pothole so bad VDOT rushed out to fix it after Brian L'Hommedieu called NBC12. If anyone asks L'Hommedieu his pet peeve, he'll probably tell you potholes by now.

He says he's had trouble with them before on the very same road. VDOT says the one he hit Tuesday was nearly three inches wide in one spot.

L'Hommedieu says this pothole caused his flat tire and a hefty repair bill.

"I said, I didn't escape this," said L'Hommedieu. "I thought I hope maybe I'll get lucky. As soon as I heard the noise and the light went on, I said oh no.

He was driving north on the Powhite Parkway when he hit the two by three foot abyss just before the Jahnke road exit.

"I tried the best I could to move to the left but I couldn't do it too much because there was another car next to me," L'Hommedieu added.

He was driving to work right in the middle of rush hour. L'Hommedieu says this isn't the first tire casualty he's had on the Powhite.

"Those concrete chunks you saw today, I actually hit a year ago," L'Hommedieu noted. "That's how I got my flat last year which was frustrating."

VDOT removed the remaining concrete blocks from the four inch deep cavity and filled it with a tar gravel mix.

After smoothing it out and pouring sand to secure it, the fix was finished.

"Well it's good that's fixed," said L'Hommedieu.

Even though the opening caused him a lot of hassle, he's just glad it's patched so he and other drivers won't have to worry about this Powhite pothole.

L'Hommedieu he's filing a claim with VDOT to see if it'll cover any of the damage costs. A spokesperson says we won't know until his claim is processed. VDOT says maintenance crews monitor the roads for any problems on a regular basis.

To report a road problem, call VDOT 1-800-367-7623 or visit their website.

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