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Woman claims Project NEON work damaged vehicle on I-15

Posted at 9:58 PM, Aug 26, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-27 06:31:59-04

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A Las Vegas woman wants someone one to pay for her damage vehicle after she says rocks associated with Project NEON work left her with a hefty repair bill.

"It wasn't hail, I got off the freeway and I looked at my at and the whole front of my car was dinged up," said Susan Wolf.

Wolf says she was driving on Interstate 15 in May when she heard the rocks hitting her vehicle.

RELATED: Vehicles damaged by I-15 debris after highway lane changes, driver say

Wolf says she went through all of the steps to get authorities to pay for the damage.

"I got emailed claim forms, I went ahead and got three estimates on the repairs for my car, ranging from $1,034, all the way up to $1,700," said Wolf.

"I sent everything in, with pictures," added Wolf.

The pricey quotes came from auto shops to repair the chipped paint to the hood, bumper, side mirror.

"I got an email back, more than 30 days later, telling me they're not gonna pay my claim," said Wolf.

NDOT says they are not liable for the damage.

The general contractor for Project NEON says their team made serious efforts to clear small roadway debris on May 5 and May 6 but added the particles left behind were just too small for the sweepers.

13 Investigates has learned since July 2016, there have been 65 Project NEON-related claims with 50 percent that have been resolved or are in the process of negotiations.

As for the road damage from May, project leaders tell 13 Investigates:

In collaboration with our client, NDOT, the Project Neon team made serious efforts to clear small roadway particles from I-15 northbound on the night of May 5 and morning of May 6, 2019. Two sweeper units operated behind a micro-mill, which removed about 1/4” of pavement and striping. The fine dust that remained after the sweeping was simply too fine to be cleared without substantial impact to the traveling public. It should be noted NDOT did not require further operations to remove this fine material and the Nevada Highway Patrol did not determine this to be an unsafe condition at posted speed limits.

The project team has gone to great lengths to minimize disruptions to commuters and has always made the safety of the traveling public and its workers its top priority. We are denying these claims and encourage the claimants to work with their insurance provider.

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