Gov. says Big Dig tunnel bolts unreliable

[dks1240]

Not sure how many of you have been keeping up with this over the years. It was always a hot topic in my geography classes and the inevitable 'what if it collapses...' always came up.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060717/ap_on_re_us/big_dig

BOSTON - Gov. Mitt Romney said Monday that tests show more than 1,100 bolt assemblies that used epoxy and more than 300 other areas in a Big Dig connector tunnel where the ceiling collapsed are unreliable.
ADVERTISEMENT

Romney, speaking at a Statehouse news conference where he drew charts and diagrams of the problems, said those areas will now have to be reinforced.

Last week, days after 12 tons of ceiling panels came loose and fell on a car, crushing the passenger, the governor announced that inspections had shown there were at least 242 points where bolts were separating from the tunnel roof.

Two Big Dig tunnels have since been closed and Romney has not yet cleared the way for them to be reopened.

The $14.6 billion Big Dig — the most expensive highway project in U.S. history — buried a highway network that used to slice through the city, replacing it with a series of tunnels.

The project also has also been plagued by leaks, falling debris, cost overruns, delays and problems linked to faulty construction.

[SkinsOrlando]

Who didn't see this coming when this project first started??

[dks1240]

Who didn't see this coming when this project first started??


Right. It's just such a large amount of roadway to put underground and with all the pressure to get it done in a timely, costly manner, there's no way it was all done properly.

Should be interesting to see where the Big Dig goes from here.

[SkinsOrlando]

Right. It's just such a large amount of roadway to put underground and with all the pressure to get it done in a timely, costly manner, there's no way it was all done properly.

Should be interesting to see where the Big Dig goes from here.


Into the history books and onto the History channel as one of engineerings biggest and most expensive disasters.

[Destino]

What company built it using bolts that are known to be unreliable?

[Cskin]

Yet another indication of the govt.'s incompetence. Corrupt construction contractors, wasteful spending, corrupt politicians, ambitious engineering....... it all equals this Big Dig Mess. I'm quite sure everyone will point the finger at someone else and this will never get solved.... and people utilizing the highway system will have to hold their breath everytime they go through the tunnel in fear of being it's next weekend.

I blame John Kerry!!!

[Xameil]

Who didn't see this coming when this project first started??


From what I understand of my friends in Boston...everyone but the politicians. ;)

[DeanCollins]

Not sure how many of you have been keeping up with this over the years. It was always a hot topic in my geography classes and the inevitable 'what if it collapses...' always came up.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060717/ap_on_re_us/big_dig

BOSTON - Gov. Mitt Romney said Monday that tests show more than 1,100 bolt assemblies that used epoxy and more than 300 other areas in a Big Dig connector tunnel where the ceiling collapsed are unreliable.
ADVERTISEMENT

Romney, speaking at a Statehouse news conference where he drew charts and diagrams of the problems, said those areas will now have to be reinforced.

Last week, days after 12 tons of ceiling panels came loose and fell on a car, crushing the passenger, the governor announced that inspections had shown there were at least 242 points where bolts were separating from the tunnel roof.

Two Big Dig tunnels have since been closed and Romney has not yet cleared the way for them to be reopened.

The $14.6 billion Big Dig — the most expensive highway project in U.S. history — buried a highway network that used to slice through the city, replacing it with a series of tunnels.

The project also has also been plagued by leaks, falling debris, cost overruns, delays and problems linked to faulty construction.

text book case of throwing money at a bad idea to line the pockets of contractors that are in bed with politicians. should of spent the money on more and better mass transportation

[Mass_SkinsFan]

Ladies and Gentleman (and especially dks) welcome to the Communistwealth of Massachusetts.

Welcome to the land where getting the project funded (no matter how far over-budget) for political reasons is more important than getting the project built properly. Welcome to the land where covering up incompetence and a total lack of quality is more important than getting the job done safely. Welcome to a land where public contracts are more corrupt than anyone at Haliburton could ever imagine in their most colorful wet dream.

dks, you're going to be amazed and disgusted at the state of the roads and bridges in the Communistwealth when you get up here in another month or so. There are bridges in Central Mass. that I fear to drive under or over. Columns and beams with the rebar showing through the concrete and spalling that passes the level of appalling. It is truly SCARY at times.