The WVDOH Transportation Management Center got its first of many calls concerning severe potholes that had developed on Interstate 64 West between the US 35 and the St. Albans exit around 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 3, 2022. The near-constant snow, ice, rain, freezing and thawing over the past several weeks had caused pavement to fail on the stretch.

WVDOH responded by sending maintenance crews from the Scary Creek garage to the scene. Brayman Trumble, the contractor tasked with the I-64 upgrade to 6 lanes was directed to make repairs. The Division of Highways closed the westbound slow lane to allow repairs. Because asphalt plants are shut down for winter, the contractor was unable to get hot asphalt to fill the potholes. Cold patch (unheated asphalt) could not be used fill the potholes because it does not hold up to heavy traffic.

Contractors were back on the scene on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, with DOT Industrial Grade Mortar, a fiber-reinforced, cement-based material to fill the potholes. Brayman Trumble had both westbound lanes reopened Friday evening.

More permanent repairs must wait until the weather improves and temperatures rise. The WVDOH is in discussions with a local asphalt plant to see if the plant can open early. Asphalt plants don’t usually open until early March.

Pothole filling on both eastbound and westbound lanes will require intermittent lane closures. The WVDOH has posted message boards in the area to notify drivers of road conditions. Motorists are urged to adhere to the posted speed limits.

Those whose vehicles may have been damaged on the stretch of interstate may file a claim with the West Virginia Legislative Claims Commission. For more information, call toll-free 1-877-562-6878.