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Criminal Probe Launched In Deadly Big Dig Collapse
CBS4Boston ^ | 07/11/06 | CBS4Boston

Posted on 07/11/2006 12:18:46 PM PDT by raccoonradio

BOSTON Gov. Mitt Romney said he's taking legal action to remove Matt Amorello as head of the Big Dig after a woman was crushed to death by falling cement in one of its tunnels. Romney said nobody can feel comfortable driving through the tunnels.

Romney told reporters Tuesday afternoon that Amorello has "undermined public safety" through what he calls "leadership failures." He also said Amorello is “over his head” in the job and Romney wants to start a nationwide search for a replacement.

CBS4 has learned the attorney general has now launched a criminal probe into Monday night’s collapse in the I-90 connector eastbound tunnel.

38-year-old Milena M. Delvalle of Jamaica Plain was killed when three-ton concrete panels fell from the ceiling and crushed the car she was riding in.

CBS4's Jon Keller reports that Attorney General Tom Reilly has ordered investigators to seize debris from the collapse and records on the tunnel from the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority offices.

Amorello, who toured the scene with Romney before the governor met with reporters, has asked State Police Major Michael Mucci to head the Turnpike's investigation into the accident.

“We will get to the bottom of what occurred here and hold any party responsible.” Amorello said at a late morning news conference.

Amorello said crews are now removing other panels in the eastbound side of tunnel that were held in place by the same kind of steel "tieback" suspected of failing in the accident. The westbound side panels will be removed Wednesday.

He said a different type of ceiling construction was used in the other Big Dig tunnels. But, as a precaution, they are inspecting the panels in the nearby Ted Williams Tunnel.

A steel tieback that held the 40-foot ceiling section in place gave way and landed on the car just after 11 p.m.

Delvalle was killed instantly. Her husband, 46 year-old Angel Delvalle, was driving the car. He escaped through a window with minor injuries. The couple was heading to the airport to pick up relatives.

Their car was partially crushed under at least four ceiling panels. It was in the left lane, giving the driver's side more protection as panels came to rest also on a left-side service walkway that is elevated several feet above the road.

Charlie Young was in the tunnel moments after the collapse. ”I literally saw the ceiling on top of the vehicle," he told CBS4 Tuesday morning. “I never saw anything like that in my whole life."

The ceiling panels were erected in 1999 and the contractor was Modern Continental. In a statement the company said, "We express our sincere condolences to the Delvalle family. Modern Continental is cooperating fully with the investigation into the cause of this tragedy. We are confident that our work fully complied with the plans and specifications provided by the Central Artery Tunnel Project. In addition, the work was inspected and approved by the Central Artery Tunnel Project."

A source close to the investigation told CBS4’s Joe Shortsleeve he thinks the bolts that held the massive panels in place were not properly fastened.

Amorello says the earliest the tunnel will re-open is Wednesday afternoon.

The accident happened about 200 feet from the end of the connector tunnel. The site is near the entrance to the Ted Williams Tunnel, which goes under Boston Harbor to Logan Airport.

Traffic headed east to Logan will be detoured through the Callahan Tunnel, and westbound traffic exiting the Ted Williams Tunnel will be detoured through South Boston.

Governor Romney cut short his vacation in New Hampshire to return to Boston Tuesday morning.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: amorello; bigdigtunnel; massachusetts; romney
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To: Gay State Conservative

Ted's rolling over in his freezer.


61 posted on 07/12/2006 9:12:14 AM PDT by 3catsanadog (When anything goes, everything does.)
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To: dfwgator
They'll just find the one Republican in Boston and blame him.

Oh, God - that was just too funny! (and true)

62 posted on 07/12/2006 9:16:41 AM PDT by 3catsanadog (When anything goes, everything does.)
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To: LadyBuzz
- I like Hunt but he doesn't have a "voice" for radio.

He sounds too much like this guy:

63 posted on 07/12/2006 9:20:46 AM PDT by ErnBatavia (Meep Meep)
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To: ErnBatavia

Oh, lord; I could have done without THAT picture right here at lunch!


64 posted on 07/12/2006 9:21:28 AM PDT by Howlin (Pres.Bush ought to be ashamed of himself for allowing foreign countries right on our borders!!~~Zook)
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To: colorado tanker
One thing I've come to learn about Democrats and liberals is that they are mental retards when it comes to economics, accounting and math.

For instance, our Pennsylvania governor, Fast Eddie Rendell, has proposed that the taxes collected for gas in the state be reimbursed to the citizens based on their annual mileage. Huh??? So the more one drives, the more reimbursement they get. Darn good way to promote conserving gas. And instead of having to spend millions in state workers to cut these checks, (and finding another excuse to increase Pennsylvania taxes), why not just cut the gas tax some.

65 posted on 07/12/2006 9:22:42 AM PDT by 3catsanadog (When anything goes, everything does.)
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To: 3catsanadog
why not just cut the gas tax someThat would be too easy and intelligent. Besides, the pol wants his name on the check to get free pub for doing this.
66 posted on 07/12/2006 9:34:01 AM PDT by colorado tanker
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To: raccoonradio

THE STORY MAY GROW VERY LARGE:

Watch for Modern Continental to be at the center of this.

Modern Continental also handled construction on the sections of tunnels that sprang leaks.

Modern Continental nearly went bankrupt until a plan was hatched in 2003 to "speed up" construction by infusing large amounts of cash into the Big Dig project.....most going to Modern Continental.

Modern Continental went from a start-up in 1967 to the nation's second largest contractor in 2005.

There will be many links between this firm and the Democrats in Massachusetts. Of course, I'm sure they sent some money towards Republicans, just to look fair.


67 posted on 07/13/2006 10:36:11 AM PDT by Erik Latranyi (The Democratic Party will not exist in a few years....we are watching history unfold before us.)
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To: Erik Latranyi

>>many links between this firm and the Democrats

Like a gubernatorial candidate whom Howie has nicknamed
"Unfortunately"?


68 posted on 07/13/2006 10:44:26 AM PDT by raccoonradio
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