Update: ITD slows speed limit to 45 on Highway 26 to reduce damage

Update 12-1-2016 5:00 pm: The Idaho Transportation Department has now lowered the speed limit on Highway 26 to 45 miles per hour from Highway 43 to Ririe until the loose gravel situation can be addressed.

Original Story: Drivers who travel Highway 26 out of Idaho Falls are expressing frustration after a summer of rock chipping left them with unexpected costs in car damage.

Drivers say since rock chipping work ended late this summer, their cars have suffered significant damage; in some cases, thousands of dollars in body work was required to repair the damage.

“It has just been a horrible mess,” said driver Bryon Hodges.

Hodges is one of several people who told KIFI/KIDK that since the rock chipping ended, he has had to replace his windshield and the body of his truck has suffered significant damage.

“We as taxpayers, we pay good money to have that road taken care of and it is a safety issue,” said Hodges.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) told KIFI/KIDK that it hired HK Contractors of Idaho Falls to complete the work on Highway 26 from Holmes Avenue in Idaho Falls to Swan Valley. ITD says immediately after work was finished, complaints started coming in.

“We started to get some phone calls from our traveling public and they were reporting to us that rocks were flying and hitting their cars and windshields, causing damage,” said Matt Davison, ITD’s project engineer.

Davison said HK Contractors has been used many times in the past, with success. He said it is unclear what is causing the rocks to break loose and fly up, causing damage.

“ITD and HK are monitoring the situation. We are working with the contractor to address those concerns,” said Davison. “As part of the work we are doing to address the situation, the contractor has been brooming the loose chips off the road. Each time, it seemed to help and then obviously our review of what is going on, additional phone calls would come in.”

To date, HK Contractors crews have swept the road seven times, according to ITD, but a complete solution on how to solve the loose gravel problem has not been decided on. ITD does not have a time frame on when one will be decided on, or when the problem will be fixed.

“It is just sad,” said Hodges, who is preparing to take his truck to the body shop to have the damage fixed. “You can’t just put a spot of touch-up paint on there because it will look tacky.”

At Majestic Auto Body in Idaho Falls, the owner told KIFI/KIDK his staff has already fixed damage to six vehicles and have given estimates on two more.

“I’ve not seen this many cars this quickly out of such a small stretch of road,” said Chad Eldridge, Majestic Auto Body owner.

ITD said vehicle owners who do suffer vehicle damage can reach out with their claim information.

“We are committed to do the right thing for the traveling public,” said Jason Minzghor, ITD’s head engineer. “We are aware of the issue and we are trying to address all of these concerns. We want the traveling public to contact us with their damages and we will do the best we can and turn those over and work with HK to do the right thing for the traveling public.”

HK Contractors officials would not do an on-camera interview with KIFI/KIDK, but in a voicemail left for reporter Chris Oswalt, a spokesperson said claims can be filed with the company.

“We urge motorists to follow posted speed guidance,” the company employee said. “We have a thorough claims process and will validate each claim individually.”

ITD says anyone who would like to file a claim can do so by calling HK Claims at 208-523-6600.