Posted 10:45 pm Saturday, August 18, 2012
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Storm washes rock away, leaving cars stuck in goo
By Kenneth Dean
kdean@tylerpaper.com
A portion of Loop 323 became the Le Brea Tar Pits of Tyler for more than a dozen motorists who found their vehicles unable or unsafe to drive after becoming stuck in thick tar on Friday.
kdean@tylerpaper.com
A portion of Loop 323 became the Le Brea Tar Pits of Tyler for more than a dozen motorists who found their vehicles unable or unsafe to drive after becoming stuck in thick tar on Friday.
“I thought all of my tires were coming apart at the same time,” Robert McElyea said as he looked at all four tires on his pickup in the parking lot of Tyler Junior College's West Campus.
McElyea and others wanted answers as to how and why their vehicles' wheels, undercarriage and other parts were encased in the tar-based gunk.
Texas Department of Transportation spokesman Larry Krantz said the northbound lanes of the West Loop 323 from Texas Highway 155 south to West Shaw Street were being seal-coated when a rogue thunderstorm hit the area causing the mess.
“The heavy rain washed a ton of the rock away leaving just the tar, and oil and water doesn't mix,” he said.
The company doing the work, Big Creek Construction, also fell victim when one of the company work trucks and a trailer drove into the tar. Part of the driver's side fender was torn off the front of the vehicle, and crew members were using shovels in attempt to remove enough tar to move the truck.
Big Creek Construction Risk Manager Carol Stone fielded calls Friday afternoon from angry motorists.
“We don't really have a comment at this time as we are still assessing the situation,” she said.
Ms. Stone did say her company was working with anyone who may have had damage to their vehicle.
A Tyler police patrol unit was one of the vehicles that had to be towed from the scene because the tar was so thick the wheels did not easily rotate, leaving the car sitting in a pool of black sticky goo.
Maria Cortez said she was on her way back to work at Carrier Warehouse on Robertson Road when she drove into the tar.
“I was sliding and I thought my tires blew. I can walk back to work, but I have to get back to Quitman somehow after work,” she said.
Ms. Cortez held her head in her hands as she looked at the white Dodge Caliber covered in the tar. Underneath the vehicle, the tar had torn the plastic sheathing from around the fender wells.
“The heavy rain washed a ton of the rock away leaving just the tar, and oil and water doesn't mix,” he said.
The company doing the work, Big Creek Construction, also fell victim when one of the company work trucks and a trailer drove into the tar. Part of the driver's side fender was torn off the front of the vehicle, and crew members were using shovels in attempt to remove enough tar to move the truck.
Big Creek Construction Risk Manager Carol Stone fielded calls Friday afternoon from angry motorists.
“We don't really have a comment at this time as we are still assessing the situation,” she said.
Ms. Stone did say her company was working with anyone who may have had damage to their vehicle.
A Tyler police patrol unit was one of the vehicles that had to be towed from the scene because the tar was so thick the wheels did not easily rotate, leaving the car sitting in a pool of black sticky goo.
Maria Cortez said she was on her way back to work at Carrier Warehouse on Robertson Road when she drove into the tar.
“I was sliding and I thought my tires blew. I can walk back to work, but I have to get back to Quitman somehow after work,” she said.
Ms. Cortez held her head in her hands as she looked at the white Dodge Caliber covered in the tar. Underneath the vehicle, the tar had torn the plastic sheathing from around the fender wells.
“I'm more confused as to what to do next, and then I'm mad wondering who is going to pay for this and how tedious that is going to be,” she said.
While motorists with the most damage waited for tow trucks, others with less damage learned who to contact and left the scene.
Tyler police urged motorists to avoid the section of roadway if possible because only one northbound lane of traffic was open.
Anyone who may have had vehicle damage because of the tar in the section of road Friday can contact Ms. Stone at 254-857-3200.
While motorists with the most damage waited for tow trucks, others with less damage learned who to contact and left the scene.
Tyler police urged motorists to avoid the section of roadway if possible because only one northbound lane of traffic was open.
Anyone who may have had vehicle damage because of the tar in the section of road Friday can contact Ms. Stone at 254-857-3200.
