Dig mess goes from bad to worse: Commuter nightmare

The Boston Herald ^ | 07/17/2006 | Casey Ross

[Panerai]

Hub drivers’ nightmares will last for “months,” Gov. Mitt Romney said yesterday, announcing tests of epoxy-anchored bolts in the Interstate 90 network have revealed a “systemic failure” of the ceiling suspension system that will require millions of dollars in time-consuming repairs.

As the tally of defects continues to mount, Romney said problems in the three-year-old tunnel system are far worse than first imagined, with ceiling supports pulling away in hundreds of locations and engineers contemplating a complete replacement of all 696 epoxy-bolted fixtures.

State and federal investigators have conducted 18 “pull tests” on epoxy-fastened bolts in locations throughout the I-90 Seaport connector tunnel, and found that the epoxy-bolt failures are spread throughout all tunnel lanes east and west, Romney said yesterday.

“It’s pretty clear to us that what happened last (Monday) was not just an anomaly, but was a systemic failure in the fastening system,” Romney said. “For the entire system to be repaired and safe is probably going to take at least a couple of months, and perhaps longer.”

In the first days after the fatal collapse, embattled Big Dig boss Matthew Amorello repeatedly described the ceiling support problems as an “anomaly” that was not expected to keep the tunnel closed more than a couple of days. Now it appears the closures could continue through the summer and fall tourist seasons.

[rottndog]

Look for
the union label
when you are buying
that coat, dress or tunnel....

[Paleo Conservative]

The ceiling panels weren't bolted in place; they were grafted.

[Waco]

The place is overrun with RATS? Yep

[Jeff Chandler]

PERFECT!

[spokeshave]

.....so does this mean that epoxy cemented bolts don't hold.....if so this has serious implications for earthquake CA. ...?

Since a lot of earthquake proofing upgrades have been completed using epoxy anchored bolts. Anyone know....?

[Jeff Chandler]

I would imagine that if they wee done right, they would hold.

[spokeshave]

OK...I guess so....

I start work tomorow earthquake proofing my house.....so get back to me next time there is a big quake in CA for an update.....

[taxesareforever]

Where oh where is Ted Kennedy supporting his Big Dig?

[RFC_Gal]

Why don't they just take them all down? Or is that too simple a solution?

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Ah Yes!.....Your TAX dollars hard at work!

[conservative in nyc]

Why don't they just take them all down? Or is that too simple a solution?

According to the New York Times Terrorist Tip Sheet, the tunnel needed concrete tiles for ventilation. Apparently, when there's a fire, hurricane-force winds rush through the area above the tiles to push smoke out of the tunnel.

Fat Matt (the incompetent head of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority) claims that the tiles may not necessary if it is replaced by a bulkhead. But Fat Matt is an idiot who usually doesn't know what he's talking about.

[dennisw]

As the tally of defects continues to mount, Romney said problems in the three-year-old tunnel system are far worse than first imagined, with ceiling supports pulling away in hundreds of locations and engineers contemplating a complete replacement of all 696 epoxy-bolted fixtures.

The quick and dirty solution is to pull all concrete ceiling panels down immediately and truck them to the land fill. This could be done in 14 days. And tunnel traffic could be restored avoiding mega-traffic jams. 

Put in new ceiling panels at night when there's less traffic. New panels are not concrete monstrosities (Who got that contract?) But are made from steel aluminum or plastic

Temporary lighting would be bolted to the tunnel sides until the new panels are installed

[RFC_Gal]

OK - then why do they have to make them out of stone or what ever dense substance they use? Why not make them out of some light, fire proof material - surely some composite material exists that would work.

But I could be wrong - has been know to happen.

[conservative in nyc]

OK - then why do they have to make them out of stone or what ever dense substance they use? Why not make them out of some light, fire proof material - surely some composite material exists that would work.

Well, the NYT(TTS) article implies that three-ton concrete slabs were used instead of the lighter 800-pound aluminum, concrete and porcelain tiles used in the adjacent underwater Ted Williams Tunnels because of the need for hurricane-force winds for ventilation. But the real reason appears to be $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

[gakrak]

I guess the "livable wage" and the absolute quality work performed by the unions is part of the problem and not the solution. /sarc. Amen.

[jamaksin]

And, fully expect that the tolls on the MassPike (aka I-90) will go up ... and up.

And, like the MA "surcharge" on earned income, expect a long wait before those tolls ever come down.

[maryz]

.....so does this mean that epoxy cemented bolts don't hold.....if so this has serious implications for earthquake CA. ...?

I heard on the radio that in CA epoxy bolts (at least in applications like this -- with the weight hanging straight down) are illegal and can only be used with a special waiver from the state. (I think it said they're illegal in some other states too, but I don't think they mentioned how many or which.)

[SueRae]

Haven't seen or heard Teddy since the beginning of summer. He didn't look well the last time I saw him on TV (not that he ever did but I thought he looked worse than usual). Ah well, the tunnel doesn't affect Hyannis. Haven't heard anything from that other despicable senator from Mass., either.

[RushLake]

"Where oh where is Ted Kennedy supporting his Big Dig?"

I'm sure you know the answer to that. Its all symbolism over substance for public consumption. "Look at all these fine union jobs I created feeding Massachusetts families and filling my campaign coffers! The thing broke, must be Bush's fault. Someone died, must be Bush's fault. Now don't bother me, I'm off to D.C. to hamper real national progress."