RICHMOND, Va. – The sweltering summer days take a toll on most things. The pavement along Route 288 northbound couldn’t stand up to the extreme temperatures, and traffic was delayed for hours as crews worked to repair the stretch of buckled road near Iron Bridge Road.
"I've seen it a couple of times," said Harvey Allen, concerned driver.
It's the second time this month VDOT shutdown lanes near that same area to make repairs because of the extreme heat.
"It's a safety issue that needs to be fixed," said Chris Magee, concerned driver.
It may not be the last time either, as VDOT warned drivers they could see more cracking concrete throughout the summer.
"If temperatures aren't cool enough during overnight hours for the concrete to contract, it will continue to expand,” said Lindsay LeGrand, VDOT spokesperson. “And that's ultimately what causes the pavement to buckle.”
CREDIT: Chris Flory
Route 288 doesn’t seem that old of a thoroughfare but VDOT said its age has called for resurfacing work.
"This portion of route 288 was constructed in the early 1990s,” LeGrand. “So, it's actually reaching the very end of its working life. And that's why we've got this resurfacing project underway right now.”
The $13 million project that calls for concrete patching and repaving is slated to be completed this year.
But until that time, drivers like Harvey Allen said he'll steer clear of 288, to avoid buckling pavement.
VDOT said if you experience a potential road hazard or want to report a road problem, to contact them 24 hours a day at 1-800-367-7623.
