MORGANTOWN – According to a report from the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department, 18 vehicles sustained flat tires or other damage Thursday morning due to a large hole that opened up on I-79 South at the Uffington Bridge expansion joint near the I-68 split.
A representative of MCSD said the initial calls came in right around 11 a.m.
The West Virginia Division of Highways said the area is an active construction zone and the responsibility of contractor Triton Construction.
The potholes started causing issues Wednesday evening, and were temporarily filled. They opened back up Thursday morning due to a combination of heavy rain and high traffic volumes.
West Virginia Division of Highways District 4 Manager Earl Gaskins said he was notified of the issue by MCSD around 11:30 a.m. Thursday and immediately dispatched state crews to respond to the area.
He said repairs are currently being made on a temporary basis using cold patch material.
“We will continue to assist our contract partners and make every attempt to monitor and maintain this area,” Gaskins said. “Once the asphalt plants are open, we will be able to make more permanent repairs which will hopefully remedy the problem.”
