Driver out $4,700 as she’s forced to repave her own driveway – city ripped it apart and made her foot the bill
A UTILITY company tore up a woman’s driveway and left her to foot a $4,700 repair bill.
Arlene Chriswell was one of many property owners in Springfield, Missouri, whose homes were affected by a gas renewal construction project.
Chriswell said she and City Utilities came to an agreement for workers to replace the gas line in the spring.
“They dug four feet deep and did this,” the woman told NBC affiliate KYTV-TV in May.
After construction on her driveway was complete, crews patched the area with asphalt and poured fresh concrete over it.
However, Chriswell said no because the newly poured concrete would not be the same color as the rest of her driveway, as she noticed on his neighbor’s properties.
Read more in The U.S. Sun
Nevertheless, crews patched up the end of her driveway with asphalt followed by concrete.
“I don’t think in my lifetime it will be the same color. I would like it to match,” Chriswell recently told KYTV-TV.
Chriswell learned that a bore was used on some properties, which allowed a drill to penetrate underground and let construction crew workers replace a gas line without damaging the driveway’s surface.
When she asked why the drill wasn’t used on her property, City Utilities said the machine was needed for a different project, according to the outlet.
“My point is, the next house up, they drilled up,” Chriswell added.
‘SO UNFAIR’
Chriswell filed a complaint and asked the company to replace her entire driveway to match the color of the freshly paved portion.
‘Every other sentence was a lie,’ cries driver who got shoddy driveway makeover – it’s $10k to fix & dozens affected
However, after the construction crew replaced her driveway, Chriswell was irate after learning she would have to pay most of the repair bill.
The total for the driveway restoration came out to a staggering $6,700.
City Utilities only paid $1,953, which covered the portion of the driveway that crews worked on.
Chriswell was forced to pay the rest of the bill, which totaled $4,747.
“They paid to have the original damage repaired,” she told KYTV-TV.
“CU has all the power that was very evident from the very beginning. Someone else would have to decide whether it’s worth the struggle.
“For me, it wasn’t the time. I’m not sure, looking back, whether I would do it again, but it just seemed so unfair.”
Read More on The US Sun
Chriswell added, “It could have been prevented if they waited on the drill crew.
“You would not put a red bumper on a black car if you had a choice.”
WHEN TO REDO DRIVEWAY PAVEMENT
Here are the classic signs a driveway needs a refresh…
Pavement driveways are supposed to last around 20 years.
However, leaking motor oil, harsh temperatures, heavy rainfall, or big cars may break down the pavement’s strength.
Look out for these classic signs:
- Small cracks that don’t connect
- Potholes
- Sunken spots
- Lightened color
- Edges breaking off
Some driveway repairs may just need a quick resurface. Unresolved issues may require a complete repavement.
Most fixes will cost drivers between $1 and $3 a square foot.
Source: Budget Dumpsters.
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