FRANKLIN, TN (WSMV) -
Neighbors in Franklin got quite a scare Thursday when a nearby interstate blasting project sent several large rocks flying right into their homes.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation is working with a contractor to expand Interstate 65 between the Goose Creek interchange and State Route 96, near the Redwing Meadows subdivision.
That's where people said the rocks from the road project began flying too close for comfort for the second time in 10 days. Windows were busted, roofs were punctured and fences snapped. Luckily, nobody was injured.
Heather Ullig said she was terrified when she had to take cover right in her own backyard.
"This completely took us off guard," Ullig said.
The Ullig home was among four homes damaged during the blasts Thursday.
But the contractor, Lojac, has been widening I-65 for months and blasting. On June 5, there was another explosion and damage.
After the June 5 blast, Ullig complained to the contracting company. In response, a company representative told her," all I know at this point is that yesterday's shot was more unstable than previous blasts. It may have been the particular rock formation or a number of issues. I will get Lojac's safety man on this right away."
But obviously whatever they did wasn't enough, because this week's blast was worse. And it is not an exaggeration to say people were inches from death.
TDOT said the blasting project is done blasting in the area, and the rocks went farther than previously estimated by the blast team.
Obviously, that's not much comfort to the families in Williamson County who feel they barely avoided serious harm.
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