‘It’s like Russian roulette’: Drivers say gravel on SR 417 is cracking their windshields – WESH 2 Orlando

Central Florida drivers are getting stuck between a rock and a hard place, namely, State Road 417 around Exit 24."Its like Russian roulette going on that ramp. Are we going to get hit today? Is it going to be on my side? His side? Its horrible," said Yrma Azcona who drives on the road at least twice a day.Azcona said her heart races every time gravel smacks the car with her son inside."Over here, this is cracked. And then down here about three rocks hit me here. Cracked, cracked, cracked," Azcona showed WESH 2.People sent us even more photos they say show the result of construction on SR 417."We believe the issue was we were water blasting some old roadway striping on the 417," said Brian Hutchings, spokesperson for the Central Florida Expressway Authority.Hutchings told WESH 2's Anika Hope they are listening and responding."We're hoping between the sweeper trucks and the vacuum trucks and then resurfacing those areas of concern that moving forward there won't be any more issues," Hutchings said.But the damage is already done for Joe Mathein."Thats chips in the paint from rocks. You know, Ive had this car three months its like ugh," Mathein said. Hutchings said to help people like Joe who drive along SR 417 daily, the Central Florida Expressway Authority plans to sweep the shoulder and travel lanes at night. "You hear that (noise) and its happened so many times. I know when its gonna happen," Mathein said. If all goes as planned, it won't happen again."Every day, its rocks and rocks," Azcona said. Florida law says if you have combined additional coverage insurance or comprehensive car insurance, your windshield repair should cost you nothing. For people like Mathein and Azcona, the Central Florida Expressway Authority said you can reach out to them if you believe you have damage from the construction.To contact the public information officer, email construction@cfxway.com.The Central Florida Expressway Authority is also urging drivers to slow down and maintain a safe following distance during the construction.

Central Florida drivers are getting stuck between a rock and a hard place, namely, State Road 417 around Exit 24.

"Its like Russian roulette going on that ramp. Are we going to get hit today? Is it going to be on my side? His side? Its horrible," said Yrma Azcona who drives on the road at least twice a day.

Azcona said her heart races every time gravel smacks the car with her son inside.

"Over here, this is cracked. And then down here about three rocks hit me here. Cracked, cracked, cracked," Azcona showed WESH 2.

People sent us even more photos they say show the result of construction on SR 417.

"We believe the issue was we were water blasting some old roadway striping on the 417," said Brian Hutchings, spokesperson for the Central Florida Expressway Authority.

Hutchings told WESH 2's Anika Hope they are listening and responding.

"We're hoping between the sweeper trucks and the vacuum trucks and then resurfacing those areas of concern that moving forward there won't be any more issues," Hutchings said.

But the damage is already done for Joe Mathein.

"Thats chips in the paint from rocks. You know, Ive had this car three months its like ugh," Mathein said.

Hutchings said to help people like Joe who drive along SR 417 daily, the Central Florida Expressway Authority plans to sweep the shoulder and travel lanes at night.

"You hear that (noise) and its happened so many times. I know when its gonna happen," Mathein said.

If all goes as planned, it won't happen again.

"Every day, its rocks and rocks," Azcona said.

Florida law says if you have combined additional coverage insurance or comprehensive car insurance, your windshield repair should cost you nothing.

For people like Mathein and Azcona, the Central Florida Expressway Authority said you can reach out to them if you believe you have damage from the construction.

To contact the public information officer, email construction@cfxway.com.

The Central Florida Expressway Authority is also urging drivers to slow down and maintain a safe following distance during the construction.

Read more:

'It's like Russian roulette': Drivers say gravel on SR 417 is cracking their windshields - WESH 2 Orlando