MARQUETTE COUNTY, Mich. (WLUC) – Residents in Marquette County are concerned about vehicle damage caused by road construction.

It’s a story some who drive on M-553 might be used to hearing. Chip sealing between July 22 and September 13 resulted in damage to some cars.

Josh Sherwin says his windshield was cracked after driving through construction.

“I was on my way to Marquette, driving behind a big truck,” Sherwin explained. “(He) kicked some of the chip seal and broke my windshield.”

MDOT opened a claim form for those who believed they were damaged by the construction. However, some like Sherwin were denied.

Dale Moilanen was also denied. He says the scratches and dings on his vehicle would cost $4,000.

“We’ve suffered damage, but we’re paying the bill,” Moilanen said. “They decide whether the claim is valid or not. I just think we’re not to blame here, someone else is, but we still have to pay the bill.”

According to MDOT, it is up to the contractor to investigate any claims made.

Pavement Maintenance Systems, LLC, based in the Lower Peninsula town of Imlay, was the contractor for the project. The company has now merged to become Evergreen Roadworks, which is headquartered in Illinois.

In denial letters to Sherwin and Moilanen, the company said.

“After carefully reviewing your claim for damages against our construction timeline, your claim has been denied.”

The company also encouraged Sherwin and Moilanen to contact their insurance providers.

I have called and emailed Evergreen Roadworks over the past week to see how the company investigates and determines which claims need to be reimbursed. A receptionist told us they would forward our questions to the right people, but so far we haven’t heard back.

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