ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 28, 1996 TAG: 9603280068
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: EMPORIA
The Virginia Department of Transportation is poised to spend $14.7 million to fix a 7.3-mile stretch of Interstate 95 that underwent repairs less than six years ago.
The repair job in 1989 and 1990 was one of the largest projects of its kind. It cost $11.1 million, and the contractor predicted the work would endure 40 years.
However, the state highway agency said Tuesday the concrete pavement on the section of I-95 south of Emporia started cracking a few years ago, and the department has been patching it ever since.
The department had to decide whether to spend about $10.5 million to keep patching, or $14.7 million to rebuild the road. Resident engineer Kevin Gregg says rebuilding is the right choice.
``Do you continue to throw good money after bad?'' he asked. ``Sometimes, you've just got to stop and punt and say, `Hey, we need to fix it permanently.'''
Highway engineers said the pavement from the North Carolina line to near the U.S. 301 exit has been cracking from water buildup under the concrete.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 32 linesby CNB