JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Drivers on I-10 between Chaffee Rd. and Hammond Blvd. are complaining about tiny rocks flying up and hitting their windshields, sometimes leaving cracks.
“Just like kids throwing rocks, pew-pew-pew-pew, that’s just eating up your paint and stuff on your car,” Baldwin resident, Edna Brown said.
Brown says the rocks and asphalt on I-10 have been tearing up her car. “The rocks were just flying. I drive a brand new car,” Brown said. “It also happened on my granddaughter’s car.”
Jessica North, an I-10 commuter, says her windshield and her favorite feature on her 2-month-old car were cracked.
“So a rock hit my front camera and now you can see it’s blurry here and blurry there,” North said. “When the first one happened, it wasn’t that bad, and now it’s already spreading. I know if I don’t do anything about it, it’s going to keep spreading.”
This year the Florida Department of Transportation (F-DOT) has two resurfacing projects on I-10. The first is between the Nassau County line and the First Coast Expressway starting in the spring. And in the summer, they’ll start resurfacing between Chaffee Road and I-295.
F-DOT says they are sweeping out here once a week but will do more. They want drivers to go the speed limit, drive safely, and leave 300 feet of space between your car and commercial vehicles.
But the drivers who spoke with News4JAX say it doesn’t matter who is on the road or how much space they give.
“They might sweep what’s there now, but it’s constantly breaking. So it’s not going to get any better,” North said. “I’m boycotting it, I’m done. Unless I’m just driving and not thinking and forget to get off, I’m going to avoid that stretch from now until they get it fixed.”
Also – according to Florida law – drivers with comprehensive car insurance can get their windshield glass repaired for free. Just check with your provider.
F-DOT urges drivers to file a claim with them if they have damage. North’s front camera was cracked and she filed a claim and is still waiting to hear back.
Here’s F-DOT’s full statement about their projects:
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is dedicated to ensuring the longevity and safety of our road network. As part of this commitment, the Department strategically plans resurfacing projects for roadways nearing the end of their service life. Roadways, over time, undergo wear and tear due to a number of factors including traffic volume, weather conditions, and environmental impacts. FDOT has scheduled resurfacing projects for the future to optimize the use of taxpayer funds and uphold our responsibility to provide reliable transportation infrastructure.
Two construction projects on I-10 will begin this year to resurface the roadway. The first project will begin in spring 2024 and will resurface I-10 between the Nassau County Line and the First Coast Expressway (SR 23). This $18.9 million project will be carried out by Hubbard Construction and is expected to be completed in fall 2025, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting.
The next project will begin in summer 2024 and will resurface I-10 between Chaffee Road and I-295. The $24.9 million project has not yet been awarded, but is expected to be completed in early 2026, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting.
Prior to the start of construction, FDOT Maintenance Officials have instructed crews to enhance sweeping along the I-10 corridor. Crews are performing additional street sweeping at minimum once a week to address motorist concerns.
Should drivers wish to file a damage claim, they may do so by visiting www.FDOT.gov/legal and selecting the claims tab on the right side of the screen.
FDOT reminds all motorists to drive safely, never drive distracted and follow the posted speed limit. When near a commercial vehicle, practice staying at least 300 feet back to minimize the risk of debris falling or other impacts.
Florida Department of Transportation
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