Residents whose homes were damaged by the Brock Street road-widening project (Rossland to Taunton Roads), still have no idea if, or when, their damage claims will be honoured by the Region of Durham.
“We’re in the dark right now regarding compensation for cracked basement walls and other damage caused by heavy equipment,” said John Xavier, a resident of Disney Court in Whitby.
“The project ended last summer but our damage claims are moving at a snail’s pace. There appears no sense of urgency to repay us for the damage caused to our homes. We’ve already been through one winter with cracked basement walls, further delay only encourages further deterioration. When water enters the cracks and then freezes.”
What was experienced by some residents living in the Brock Street area as a series of minor earthquakes turned out to be the result of heavy equipment pounding the road. The incessant vibration caused objects to fall over or move, pictures and mirrors to drop from the walls, numerous nail pops from walls and ceilings, floor joists affected causing floors and stairs to give and creak, cracks to ceramic floors and basement foundation walls to crack, said residents.
“The region did send an insurance inspector to our homes, late last fall, after complaints regarding the matter were posted on a neighbourhood social media site. Since then we’ve heard nothing.” says Nancy Mueller of James Rowe Drive.
“We’re hoping for fair, honest compensation, sooner than later. Look, nobody’s trying to put a damper on progress, but collateral damage must be addressed and resolved,” she added.