Full Review of Big Dig System Is Ordered

NY Times ^ | 7/12/06 | AP Wire Story

[Oshkalaboomboom]

The head of the agency overseeing Boston's Big Dig highway project ordered a review of the entire metro highway system Wednesday after investigators looking into the fatal collapse of concrete ceiling slabs found 60 more questionable areas inside the same tunnel.

Initial inspections revealed dozens of signs of bolts loosening and other potential failures in the eastbound connector tunnel, part of the main route to Boston's Logan Airport, Turnpike Authority officials and the Big Dig project manager said.

There were also trouble spots in the tunnel's westbound lanes, they said.

''We're evaluating each of these individual sites,'' Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Chairman Matthew Amorello said. He added, however, ''The tunnel system is safe.''

There had been plans to reopen the connector tunnel Wednesday, but Amorello said it would remain closed indefinitely to ensure motorists' safety.

Twelve tons of concrete ceiling panels in the tunnel crashed down late Monday night, crushing a car and killing a 38-year-old woman inside. Her husband barely escaped by crawling through a window.

U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan, whose office has been conducting a yearlong investigation into problems with the massive highway project, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that his investigators are turning their attention to whether contractors involved in that part of the system delivered the goods and services they promised.

''We obviously want to identify any public safety risks ... but also to ensure that what the government paid for -- through tax dollars -- is in fact what was delivered,'' Sullivan said.

The woman's death could also lead to charges of negligent homicide, said Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Reilly, who is treating the section of eastbound Interstate 90, near the entrance of a connector tunnel to Logan Airport, as a crime scene.

[spunkets]

"what the government paid for -- through tax dollars -- is in fact what was delivered,'' Sullivan said."

What the govm't paid for with tax money is the bloated bureaucracy of certified engineers, planners and construction code that built this thing in the first place. Now the same pool of experts is going to review it and double the bureaucratic volume.

[CPOSharky]

First thing that came to mind was the New Orleans levee system. (A whole bunch of bucks to be divided up amongst the good ole boys. Oh, and build a tunnel if there's any left.)

[SAJ]

Hmmm. A grassy knoll in the Ted Williams tunnel, d'ya think?

[rod1]

The MTA Chairman said "the tunnel system is safe" !!

What planet does this guy live on?

I guess it is safe if you are highly entertained dodging megaton blocks of falling concrete.

[IamConservative]

Sound's like FBI might get involved. They need subpoena power. Bring on the FEDS.

I heard Shep on Fox Radio report that the entire project was now being treated as a crime scene.

In addition to this obvious failure, it has been reported the tunnels in total had "thousands of leaks" the day they opened. The pumps were pumping much more water to keep the road bed dry than anticipated. As we all know, it is rare that water leaks get smaller over time.

[RJL]

Someone please tell me that repairs will be paid by Boston and/or Massachusetts and not the federal government.

[Thermalseeker]

They could have given that money to me.

Now, now, don't be greedy. I would have settled for half.....

[TRY ONE]

"Wasn't a relative of JFnK involved in the construction of the Big Dig?"

The real 'God Father' was Tip O'Neil, Mr. Speaker of the House!!! The 'Big Dig' was to be his greatest monument. Even Sheets Bird did not have a $ 15 Billion Monument ---- just all the buildings and bridges in WV!!1

[guestfox01]

Well, what I want to know is who were the MA gov't inspectors/engineers that signed off on it being safe and "up to code" in the first place?

[Jim Noble]

Full Review of Big Dig System Is Ordered

I am shocked, Rick, shocked - to find that gambling is going on here!

[rockabyebaby]

Well, what I want to know is who were the MA gov't inspectors/engineers that signed off on it being safe and "up to code" in the first place?

We may NEVER know, the AG is corrupt and is the lawyer for the Turnpike chairman, we call him fat matt, and fat matt has been known in the past not to release information to the public, he is in charge, answers to NO ONE and that my friend is only the beginning, the AG has taken campaign contributions from the very same contractors who are involved in this project, the same project he is now claiming is a "crime scene" this guy's middle name is "unfortunately" every time he "threatens" to look into something, i.e Cardinal Law and sex abuse, etc. he comes back with "unfortunately there is no evidence", bla bla bla, he has already ruled out fat matt and the investigation hasn't even started yet,,,,,,,,,,,

[6SJ7]

Google "Kerry Big Dig insurance" and some mighty interesting articles turn up. The Big Dig is the nexus of corruption in the Bay State.

[The Duke]

"How was I to know the damned thing would be finsihed while I was still alive?"

[Thermalseeker]

I guess it is safe if you are highly entertained dodging megaton blocks of falling concrete.

Yeah, but I heard that a lot of the concrete used in the Big Pig, er, uh, I mean Dig, was substandard and of poor quality. So, if any of it does hit your car it shouldn't crush it all the way so much.......

[Sam Ketcham]

As I recall, Kerry & Kennedy said the "Big Dig" was going to cost $2 Billion. So actually the over run was only $12 Billion, and what do you expect for the actual $2 Billion? I'm just surprised anyone in Mass would be investigating anything to do with the "Big Dig"!