Court rejects Virginia couple's claim over highway expansion near their home

A Virginia couple who wanted additional compensation for the impact of a highway expansion on their property have lost their legal battle. An appeals court has ruled that they cannot claim losses caused by the wider road project when the government had temporarily acquired only a small section of their land.According to Find Law, Omar Mohammad El-Rashed and Eliana Eyad Albelbaisi owned a home in McLean, Virginia, near Interstate 495 (I-495).

In March 2023, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) began proceedings to use a portion of their property temporarily for construction work.The land involved was a narrow strip at the back of their home, covering 1,458 square feet. VDOT offered $29,700 for its temporary use, including compensation for trees and vines.

The couple accepted the payment but continued to argue that the amount did not cover the financial impact of the project on their property.Their appraiser, Dennis Gruelle, estimated that the highway expansion and the temporary acquisition together could reduce the property's value by almost $500,000.