Drivers raise concerns about M-553 damage claims

MARQUETTE COUNTY, Mich. (WLUC) - Marquette County residents are concerned about vehicle damage from road construction.

It's a story that some driving on M-553 may be used to hearing. The chip sealing between July 22 and September 13 led to some cars being damaged.

Josh Sherwin says his windshield was left cracked after traveling through the construction.

"I was on my way to Marquette, driving behind a big truck," Sherwin explained. "(It) kicked up part of the chip seal and cracked my windshield."

MDOT opened up a claims 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 dents and scratches to his vehicle are expected to cost $4,000.

"We got the damage yet we're footing the bill," Moilanen said. "They make a determination whether the claim is valid or not. I just think we're not at fault here, someone else is, yet we have to pay the bill."

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

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

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

"After carefully reviewing your damage claim against our construction timeframe, your claim has been denied."

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

We called and emailed Evergreen Roadworks over the past week to see how the company investigates and determines what claims to reimburse. A receptionist told us they would send our questions to the right people, but as of now we have not heard back.