Big Dig - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 8/14/11 9:36 AMCoordinates: 42.36197°N 71.05562°W Big Dig From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from Big Dig (Boston, Massachusetts)) The Central Artery/Tunnel Project (CA/T), known unofficially as the Big Dig and as the Big Dug since completion, was a megaproject in Boston that rerouted the Central Artery (Interstate 93), the chief highway through the heart of the city, into a 3.5-mile (5.6-km) tunnel. The project also included the construction of the Ted Williams Tunnel (extending Interstate 90 to Logan International Airport), the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge over the Charles River, and the Rose Kennedy Greenway in the space vacated by the previous I-93 elevated roadway. Initially, the plan was also to include a rail connection between Boston's two major Metropolitan Highway train terminals. The project concluded on December 31, 2007, when the partnership System between the program manager and the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority ended.[1] The Big Dig was the most expensive highway project in the U.S. and was plagued by escalating costs, scheduling overruns, leaks, design flaws, charges of poor execution and use of substandard materials, criminal arrests,[2][3] and even four deaths.[4] The project was scheduled to be completed in 1998[5]at an estimated cost of $2.8 billion (in 1982 dollars, US$6.0 billion adjusted for inflation as of 2006).[6] The project was not completed, however, until December of 2007, at a cost of over $14.6 billion ($8.08 billion in 1982 dollars)[6]as of 2006.[7] The Boston Globe estimated that the project will ultimately cost $22 billion, including interest, and that it will not be paid off until 2038.[8] As a Traffic before the "Big Dig" result of the deaths, leaks, and other design flaws, the consortium that oversaw the project agreed to pay $407 million in restitution, and several smaller companies agreed to pay a combined sum of approximately $51 million.[9] Contents 1 Background 1.1 Origin 1.2 Cancellation of the inner belt 1.3 Mixing of traffic 1.4 Mass transit Traffic after the "Big Dig" completion 2 Early planning 3 Obstacles 4 Construction phase 4.1 Engineering methods and details http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Dig_(Boston,_Massachusetts) Page 1 of 14 wikipedia. the free encyclopedia 8/14/11 9:36 AM 5 Final phases 6 Mitigation projects 7 Impact on traffic 8 Problems 8. Local businesses again wanted relief. By mid-20th century. historians sought a reuniting of the waterfront with the city.Wikipedia. an elevated six-lane highway through the center of downtown Boston. the 1. while traffic moved somewhat better. Traffic jams of 16 hours were predicted for 2010.4 Lighting fixtures 9 See also 10 References 11 External links Background Origin This project was developed in response to traffic congestion on Boston's historically tangled streets."[10] In 1959._Massachusetts) Page 2 of 14 . entrance ramps without merge lanes. and continually escalating vehicular loads. Governor John Volpe Traffic on the old. which eventually was constructed between the downtown area and the waterfront. Commissioner of Public Works William Callahan pushed through plans for an elevated expressway.3 Fatal ceiling collapse 8. the other problems remained. through the Dewey Square (or "South Station") Tunnel. There was chronic congestion on the Central Artery (I-93). which mayor Thomas Menino called Boston's "other Green Monster". this had grown to 190.Big Dig .000 vehicles a day.[11] Built before strict federal Interstate Highway standards were developed during the Dwight D. the expressway was plagued by tight turns. Eisenhower administration.org/wiki/Big_Dig_(Boston.1 "Thousands of leaks" 8.I. and physically divided the historical connection between the downtown and market areas and the waterfront.2 Substandard materials 8. car traffic in the inner city was extremely congested. or stopped.T. especially for north–south trips. Fitzgerald Expressway) displaced thousands of residents and businesses. but by the 1990s.4 km) road section carried approximately 75. http://en. engineers Bill Reynolds and (eventual state Secretary of Transportation) Frederick P. which was. "like a funnel full of slowly-moving.[12] M. which were laid out long before the advent of the automobile. elevated Central interceded in the 1950s to send the last section of the Central Artery Artery at mid-day. underground. an excessive number of entrances and exits.000 vehicles a day. Salvucci envisioned moving the whole expressway underground. cars (and swearing motorists). This "Central Artery" (known officially as the John F. and nearby residents desired removal of the matte green-painted elevated road. in the words of Pete Sigmund.5-mile-long (2. Getting between the Central Artery and the tunnels involved short diversions onto city streets. but much east–west traffic as well. a bypass road called the Inner Belt (officially Interstate 695) was to pass around the downtown core to the west. Traffic on the major highways from west of Boston—the Massachusetts Turnpike and Storrow Drive—mostly traveled on portions of the Central Artery to reach these tunnels. Parts of the planned I-695 right of way remain unused and under consideration for future mass transit projects. and Somerville. It was never built. the Central Artery became chronically gridlocked. through the neighborhood of Roxbury and the cities of Brookline. leaving Boston with a severely overstressed expressway system. and Roslindale led to secession threats by Hyde Park. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge over the Charles however.org/wiki/Big_Dig_(Boston. except for a short stretch of Interstate 93. With ever-increasing traffic volumes funneled onto I-93 alone. the free encyclopedia 8/14/11 9:36 AM Cancellation of the inner belt Another important motivation for the Big Dig in its final form was the abandonment of the Massachusetts Highway Department's intended expressway system through and around Boston. http://en. Boston's youngest and southernmost neighborhood. Jamaica Plain. The old elevated Central Artery crossing is Governor Francis Sargent put a moratorium on highway to the right._Massachusetts) Page 3 of 14 . Boston's Logan Airport lies across Boston Harbor in East Boston. as part of MassHighway's Master Plan of 1948. was originally planned to be the downtown Boston stretch of Interstate 95. The original 1948 Master Plan included a Third Harbor Tunnel plan that was hugely controversial in its own right because it would have disrupted the Maverick Square area of East Boston. The Sargent moratorium led to the rerouting of I-95 away from Boston around the MA-128 beltway and the conversion of the cleared land in the southern part of the city into the Southwest Corridor linear park and a new right of way for the Orange Line subway and Amtrak. earlier controversies over impact of the Boston extension of the Massachusetts Turnpike. with only a minimum of work done on the I-95 right of River under construction. By 1972. In 1974 the remainder of the Master Plan was canceled. led to massive community opposition to both the Inner Belt and the Boston section of I-95. Cambridge. Clearances for I-95 through the neighborhoods of Roxbury. particularly on the heavily populated neighborhood of Brighton.Big Dig .wikipedia. way and none on the potentially massively disruptive Inner Belt. and was signed as such. and the large number of additional homes that would have had to be destroyed.Wikipedia. The Central Artery. construction within the MA-128 corridor. However. increasing local congestion. and before the Big Dig the only access from downtown was through the paired Callahan and Sumner tunnels. looking north. Mixing of traffic A major reason for the all-day congestion was that the Central Artery carried not only north–south traffic. Silver Line buses now use this tunnel and the Ted Williams Tunnel to link South Station and Logan Airport. done in coordination with Big Dig construction. Business leaders were more concerned about access to Logan Airport. the construction of a third Harbor tunnel (now known as the Ted Williams Tunnel). several new east–west lanes were added to untangle the traffic. The extension beyond Lechmere is in progress[13] and the Red and Blue subway line connection is being designed. http://en. While only one net lane in each direction was added to the north–south I-93. track the project's cost and schedule. In their second terms. East–west traffic on the Massachusetts Turnpike now proceeds directly through the Ted Williams Tunnel to Logan Airport and Route 1A beyond. the free encyclopedia 8/14/11 9:36 AM The final Big Dig plan.Wikipedia. Michael Dukakis (governor) and Fred Salvucci (secretary of transportation) came up with the strategy of tying the two projects together— thereby combining the project that the business community supported with the project that they and the City of Boston supported. After years of extensive lobbying for federal dollars. promised projects to restore the Green Line streetcar service to the Arborway in Jamaica Plain. Early planning The project was conceived in the 1970s by the Boston Transportation Planning Review to replace the rusting elevated six-lane Central Artery.[16] The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority (MTA). with environmental impact studies starting in 1983. the project had its green light and ground was first broken in 1991. a 1987 public works bill appropriating funding for the Big Dig was passed by U. The most expensive was the building of the Phase II Silver Line tunnel under Fort Point Channel. the North-South Rail Link that would have connected North and South Stations (the major passenger train stations in Boston). The expressway separated downtown from the waterfront.[citation needed] Planning for the Big Dig as a project officially began in 1982. with new exits in South Boston along the way. then.S. combined several projects—the depression and improvement of the Central Artery. which had little experience in managing an undertaking of the scope and magnitude of the CA/T Project. but additional lanes and direct connections are provided for this traffic. As of 2010.[15] Yet another plan. Mass transit A number of public transportation projects were included as part of an environmental mitigation for the Big Dig. but it was subsequently vetoed by President Ronald Reagan as being too expensive. to extend the Green Line beyond Lechmere.[14] the status of the Arborway Line is unclear. manage design consultants and construction contractors. and was increasingly choked with bumper-to-bumper traffic. was part of the original Big Dig but was ultimately dropped by the Dukakis administration as an impediment to acquiring federal funding for the project. hired a joint venture to provide preliminary designs.wikipedia. Traffic between Storrow Drive and the Callahan and Sumner Tunnels uses a short portion of I-93. and pushed instead for a third harbor tunnel.org/wiki/Big_Dig_(Boston. advise MTA on project decisions. When Congress overrode his veto. and massive interchange improvements to the Massachusetts Turnpike and several other major routes in the area. and to connect the Red and Blue subway lines have not been completed.Big Dig . Congress._Massachusetts) Page 4 of 14 . preventing cave-ins during the excavation process. more efficient excavation. Construction crews also used Ground freezing to help stabilize surrounding ground as they excavated the tunnel. and included existing subway lines as well as innumerable pipes and utility lines that would have to be replaced or moved. a specially designed jack was constructed to support the ground and tracks to allow the excavation to take place below. The multi-lane interstates also had to pass under South Station's 7 tracks. as had been initially planned. and also assisted in environmental issues.-deep concrete walls upon which the highway could rest.[18] the process had taken some seven years.[19] Other challenges included an existing subway tunnel crossing the path of the underground highway. but it hindered MTA's ability to independently oversee project activities because MTA and the joint venture had effectively become partners in the project. Because the old elevated highway (which remained in operation throughout the construction process) rested on pylons located throughout the designated dig area. which carried over 40.[17] Obstacles In addition to these political and financial difficulties. ranging from glacial debris to foundations of buried houses and a number of sunken ships lying within the reclaimed land. The downtown area through which the tunnels were to be dug was largely landfill. during which time inflation greatly increased the project's original cost estimates. it was necessary to dig beneath the tunnel and build an underground concrete bridge to support the tunnel's weight. The ground freezing enabled safer.[citation needed] Reworking such a busy corridor without seriously restricting traffic flow required a number of state-of-the-art construction techniques. To build slurry walls past this tunnel. Eventually. the project faced several environmental and engineering obstacles._Massachusetts) Page 5 of 14 . By the time the federal environmental clearances were delivered in 1994.000 commuters and 400 trains per day. Tunnel workers encountered many unexpected geological and archaeological barriers. This was intended to make management more efficient.Big Dig . To avoid multiple relocations of train lines while the tunneling advanced. with the Big Dig and the Turnpike's Boston Extension from the 1960s being financially and legally joined by the legislature as the Metropolitan Highway http://en.org/wiki/Big_Dig_(Boston. causing them to roam the streets of Boston in search of new housing.Wikipedia. as less contaminated fill needed to be exported than if a traditional cut-and-cover method had been applied. This was the largest tunneling project undertaken beneath railway lines anywhere in the world.wikipedia. MTA combined some of its employees with joint venture employees in an integrated project organization. Construction phase The project was managed by the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. The project received approval from state environmental agencies in 1991. the free encyclopedia 8/14/11 9:36 AM and (in some instances) act as the MTA's representative. after satisfying concerns including release of toxins by the excavation and the possibility of disrupting the homes of millions of rats. These concrete walls also stabilized the sides of the site. engineers first utilized slurry wall techniques to create 120 ft (37 m). This plan was considered to be reasonably cost-effective. began carrying traffic from I-93 to Storrow Drive in 1999._Massachusetts) Page 6 of 14 .Wikipedia. Modern Continental was awarded the greatest gross value of contracts. a companion bridge to the Zakim. Many environmental advocates preferred a river crossing entirely in tunnels. 1 interchange and retrofitting the tunnel. Salvucci overrode the objections and chose a variant of the plan known as "Scheme Z". J. modern. (Of those. The distinctive bridge is supported by two forked towers connected to the span by cables and Leonard P.org/wiki/Big_Dig_(Boston. was rejected as too costly. construction of the Tobin connector (today known as the "City Square Tunnel" for a Charlestown area it bypasses) was far along. The plan was accepted and construction began on the Leonard P. Modern Continental. joint ventures included. construction continued on the Tobin Bridge approach. The Storrow Drive Connector. but was opposed by the wealthy residents of the Beacon Hill neighborhood. It sued to revoke the project's environmental certificate and forced the project to redesign the river crossing again.S.[21] The city of Cambridge objected to the visual impact of the chosen Charles River crossing design.[10] Meanwhile. Boston blue clay and other soils extracted from the path of the tunnel were used to cap many local landfills. It was the first bridge in the country to employ this method and it is the widest cable-stayed bridge in the world. but had the drawback of requiring highway ramps stacked up as high as 100 feet (30 m) immediately adjacent to the Charles River. White.) Construction sites of the "Big Dig" The nature of the Charles River crossing had been a source of major controversy throughout the design phase of the project. The bridge employed an asymmetrical design and a hybrid of steel and concrete was used to construct it. with a deadline looming to begin construction on a separate project that would connect the Tobin Bridge to the Charles River crossing. but this. and the Slattery division of Skanska USA. the free encyclopedia 8/14/11 9:36 AM System. significantly adding to the cost of constructing the U. However.[22] Swiss Engineer Christian Menn took over the design of the bridge. along with 27 other plans.Big Dig . He suggested a sleek. Perini Corporation. Peter Kiewit Sons' Incorporated. it finally was accepted because it would funnel traffic bound for http://en. Finally. and restore the surface of Spectacle Island in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge. Major heavy-construction contractors on the project included Jay Cashman. Zakim Bridge girders.F. The project had been under consideration for years. cable-stayed bridge that would carry 10 lanes of traffic.[20] Design and construction was supervised by a joint venture of Bechtel Corporation and PB. Because of the enormous size of the project—too large for any company to undertake alone—the design and construction of the Big Dig were broken up into dozens of smaller subprojects with well-defined interfaces between contractors.wikipedia. By the time all parties agreed on the I-93 design. Obayashi Corporation. fill in the Granite Rail Quarry in Quincy. All southbound lanes of I-93 opened to traffic on March 5.8 billion.org/wiki/Big_Dig_(Boston.[23] The Connector ultimately used a pair of ramps that had been constructed for Interstate 695. 2003. The westbound lanes opened on the afternoon of January 18 and the eastbound lanes on January 19. then cut away the elevated highway's struts. was completed in two stages: northbound lanes opened in March 2003 and southbound lanes (in a temporary configuration) on December 20. requiring unusual solutions and methods to address them. and all of the refurbished Dewey Square Tunnel._Massachusetts) Page 7 of 14 . and http://en. At the beginning of the project. Major construction remained on the surface. moving the elevated Interstate 93 underground. the free encyclopedia 8/14/11 9:36 AM Storrow Drive and downtown Boston away from the mainline roadway. was estimated at $5. they created horizontal braces as wide as the tunnel. enabling the mainline I-93 to carry more traffic that would have used I-695 under the original Master Plan. 2004. was fired in 2000. A tunnel underneath Leverett Circle connecting eastbound Storrow Drive to I-93 North and the Tobin Bridge opened December 19. Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90) east into the Ted Williams Tunnel. Engineering methods and details Several unusual engineering challenges arose during the project.55 billion cap on federal contributions.Wikipedia. and lowered it onto the new braces. By the end of December 2004. 2005. engineers had to figure out the safest way to build the tunnel without endangering the existing elevated highway above. 2003. the project cost. When construction began. the opening ceremony was held for the I-90 Connector Tunnel. easing congestion at the circle. Total expenses eventually passed $15 billion. including the left lane of the Zakim Bridge. including the Charles River crossing.wikipedia. 95% of the Big Dig was completed. James Kerasiotes. including construction of final ramp configurations in the North End and in the South Bay interchange. The Ted Williams tunnel had been completed and in limited use for commercial traffic and high-occupancy vehicles since late 1995.93 billion.[24] Final phases On January 17. Temporary supports hold up elevated extending the Central Artery during construction. Eventual cost overruns were so high that the chairman of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. Interest brought this cost to $21. Eventually. The next phase.Big Dig . and onwards to Interstate 93 Tunnel Logan Airport. His replacement had to commit to an $8. The "Big Dig" project in Boston and lighting) and the essential elements of the pedestrian environment (walkways. traffic on the major highways from west of Boston—the Massachusetts Turnpike and Storrow Drive—traveled on portions of the http://en._Massachusetts) Page 8 of 14 .wikipedia. Impact on traffic Before the Big Dig. The final ramp downtown — exit 20B from I-93 south to Albany Street — opened January 13. the Central Artery carried not only north–south traffic but much east–west traffic. blue interior lighting of the Zakim Bridge. 2006.[25] In 2006. However.org/wiki/Big_Dig_(Boston.Big Dig . the Artery Arts Program was seen as a potential liability. public art was part of the urban design planning process (and later design development work) through the Artery Arts Program. and the Miller's River Littoral Way walkway and lighting under the loop ramps north of the Charles River. Extensive landscape planting. bicycle. and bridges). pedestrian. many[citation needed] are not funded because of the massive cost overruns on the highway portion of the project. For example. a historical sculpture about the 18th and 19th century shipbuilding industry and a bust of shipbuilder Donald McKay in East Boston.[citation needed] While not a legally mandated requirement. development began on only a few projects before funding for the program was cut. To reach these tunnels. Mitigation projects Many environmental impact mitigation projects (transit. The only direct access to Boston's Logan Airport from downtown was through the paired Callahan and Sumner tunnels under Boston Harbor. Although these were legal requirements for approval of the environmental impact statement. Permanent public art that was funded includes: super graphic text and facades of former West End houses cast into the concrete elevated highway abutment support walls near North Station by artist Sheila Levrant de Bretteville. was requested by many community members during public meetings. As overall project costs increased. At the beginning of the highway design process. a temporary arts program was initiated and over 50 proposals were selected. even though there was support and interest from the public and professional arts organizations in the area.Wikipedia. as well as a maintenance program to support the plantings. fences. the free encyclopedia 8/14/11 9:36 AM reconstruction of the surface streets. after the former Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives from Massachusetts who pushed to have the Big Dig funded by the federal government. the two Interstate 93 tunnels were dedicated as the Thomas "Tip" O'Neill Tunnel. it ended without constructing pedestrian bridges to neighboring parks. The intent of the program was to integrate public art into highway infrastructure (retaining walls. and parks) also remain. park landscape elements. a major cause of its all-day congestion. though the North Point Park was created as part of the project. While only one net lane in each direction was added to the north–south I-93. and the connection from Storrow Drive. but additional lanes and direct connections are provided for this traffic. signed off as a cost overrun. "Ultimately. Traffic between Storrow Drive and the Callahan and Sumner Tunnels still uses a short portion of I-93. extensive water damage to steel supports and fireproofing systems.[27] Travel times on the Central Artery onto the Zakim Bridge.wikipedia. The report states.800 hours per day in 2004–2005. Because more drivers were opting to use the new roads.[29] Problems "Thousands of leaks" As far back as 2001. was used to repair these leaks. This was not made publicly known to the media.[26] The savings for travelers was estimated at $166 million annually in the same Traffic exiting the Big Dig tunnel 2004–2005 time frame. in which the Big Dig was credited with helping to save at least $167 million a year by increasing economic productivity and decreasing motor vehicle operating costs. Turnpike Authority officials and private contractors knew of thousands of leaks in the ceiling and wall fissures. not reduced or eliminated (although some trips are now faster).200 hours per day before construction (1994–1995) to 14. 2004. Getting between the Central Artery and the tunnels also involved short stretches on city streets. the free encyclopedia 8/14/11 9:36 AM Central Artery. the airport tunnels.[28] A 2008 Boston Globe report asserted that waiting time for the majority of trips actually increased as a result of demand induced by the increased road capacity.org/wiki/Big_Dig_(Boston. The Big Dig untangled this co-mingled traffic. after the project was largely complete. That study did not look at highways outside the Big Dig construction area and did not take into account new congestion elsewhere.[31] On September 15. traffic bottlenecks were only pushed outward from the city.Big Dig . East–west traffic on the Massachusetts Turnpike/I-90 now proceeds directly through the Ted Williams Tunnel to Logan Airport and Route 1A beyond. but engineers at MIT (volunteer students and professors) performed several experiments and found serious problems with the tunnel.6%." The Globe also asserted that their analysis provides a fuller picture of the traffic situation than a state-commissioned study done two years ago. Many of the leaks were a result of Modern Continental and other subcontractors failing to remove gravel and other debris before pouring concrete.Wikipedia. The result was a 62% reduction in vehicle hours of travel on I-93._Massachusetts) Page 9 of 14 . northbound during the afternoon peak hour were reduced 85. This also forced the Turnpike Authority to release information regarding its non- http://en. several new east– west lanes became available. not less.[30] A $10 million contract. many motorists going to and from the suburbs at peak rush hours are spending more time stuck in traffic. a major leak in the Interstate 93 north tunnel forced the closure of the tunnel while repairs were conducted. and overloaded drainage systems. from an average 38. increasing local congestion and causing backups on the highway. countered that by stating there were nearly 700 leaks in a single 1. in June 2005. quality concerns. They seized evidence that Aggregate delivered concrete that did not meet contract specifications.[35] On September 1.[38] The final piece of the road network. In total. The report went on to state that the $14. to look for additional areas of risk.[34] The collapse and closure of the tunnel greatly snarled traffic in the city. killing Milena Del Valle. one eastbound lane of the connector tunnel was re- opened to traffic.Wikipedia. reopened on June 1.900 in political contributions from employees of Aggregate Industries.Big Dig . who was a passenger. In May 2006. Turnpike officials also stated that the number of leaks being investigated was down from 1.2 m) fell on a car traveling on the two-lane ramp connecting northbound I-93 to eastbound I-90 in South Boston. 2007.wikipedia. 2006.[31] Substandard materials Massachusetts State Police searched the offices of Aggregate Industries.[36][37] Following extensive inspections and repairs.org/wiki/Big_Dig_(Boston. On July 10. after a lengthy investigation. Inc. six employees of the company were arrested and charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States.[10] Immediately following the fatal ceiling collapse. a heart attack victim who died en route to Boston Medical Center when his ambulance was caught in one such traffic jam two weeks after the collapse. a high occupancy vehicle lane connecting Interstate 93 north to the Ted Williams Tunnel.000 to 500.1 by 12. Governor Mitt Romney ordered a stem-to-stern safety audit conducted by the Illinois engineering firm of Wiss. 2007. Immediately after the arrests. Janney. and injuring her husband. Over 200 complaints have been filed by the state of Massachusetts as a result of leaks. The resulting traffic jams are cited as contributing to the death of another person. the state is seeking approximately $100 million from the contractors ($1 for every $141 spent).[39] This was http://en. who was driving.[33] Fatal ceiling collapse Main article: Big Dig ceiling collapse A fatal accident raised safety questions and closed part of the project for most of the summer of 2006. the largest concrete supplier for the underground portions of the project.000-foot (300 m) section of tunnel beneath South Station. cost overruns. 2006. Said Romney: "We simply cannot live in a setting where a project of this scale has the potential of threatening human life._Massachusetts) Page 10 of 14 . the free encyclopedia 8/14/11 9:36 AM disclosure of prior leaks. as has already been seen". A follow-up reported on "extensive" leaks that were more severe than state authorities had previously acknowledged. the National Transportation Safety Board found that epoxy glue used to hold the roof in place during construction was not appropriate for long-term bonding. Interstate 90 east-and westbound lanes reopened in early January 2007. a concrete ceiling panel weighing 3 tons (2722 kg) and measuring 20 by 40 ft (6. Elstner Associates. however.[32] On March 19. the International Herald Tribune reported that Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Reilly planned to sue project contractors and others because of poor work on the project. Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney announced he would return $3. On July 10. and safety violations. Angel Del Valle.6 billion tunnel system was riddled with more than 400 leaks. A Boston Globe report. 2006. it came to light that senior MassDOT officials had been covering up an issue with the lighting fixtures in the O'Neill tunnel. the makers of the adhesive.[40] On December 24. members of MassDOT administration team decided not let the news of the systemic failure and repair of the fixtures be released to the public or Governor Deval Patrick's administration. such as the weight of a panel. ^ LeBlanc. In early February 2011. such as wind or earthquake loads.earthlink.html?nav=hcmoduletmv) . the Del Valle family announced they had reached a settlement with Power Fasteners that would pay the family $6 million. the maintenance team picked it up and brought it back to its home facility.net/article/nat? guid=20071225/47708e50_3ca6_1552620071225-412521942) .net/article/nat? http://en. Hong Kong References 1. not long-term loading. 2. http://washingtonpost._Massachusetts) Page 11 of 14 .[41] In December 2008.[43] Assuming it to be simple road debris. Rodrique (2007-12-25). "On December 31. Australia Dublin Port Tunnel – similar project on a smaller scale in Ireland Carmel Tunnels – similar project in Haifa. a comprehensive inspection of the other fixtures in the tunnel revealed the numerous other fixtures were also in the same state of deterioration. Israel Massachusetts Turnpike Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Megaproject Pork barrel legislation Vincent Zarrilli – critic of the Big Dig who proposed the Boston Bypass Central-Wan Chai Bypass . a supervisor passing through the yard realized that the 120 lb (54 kg) fixture was not road debris but was in fact one of the fixtures used to light the tunnel itself. The safety factor on Power-Fast Epoxy was increased from 4 to 16.[42] Lighting fixtures In March 2011. Steve (2007-12-26). ^ Ngowi.[44] See also Cross City Tunnel – similar project in Sydney. The Power-Fast Epoxy Adhesive used in the installation was designed for short-term loading. the free encyclopedia 8/14/11 9:36 AM determined to be the cause of the roof collapse. Associated Press.earthlink. a maintenance crew found a fixture laying in the middle travel lane on the northbound tunnel. It's Official: Boston's Big Dig Will Be Done" (http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/25/AR2007122500600.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/25/AR2007122500600. Retrieved 2007-12-26.similar project in the areas of Central. Power Fasteners agreed to pay $16 million to the state to settle manslaughter charges. Wan Chai and Causeway Bay. 2007. within Victoria City. http://enews. Moving forward with temporary repairs.org/wiki/Big_Dig_(Boston. Further investigation revealed that the fixture's mounting apparatus has failed due to salt water corrosion. After the discovery of the reason why the fixture had failed.Big Dig .[40] Powers Fasteners. "$6M Settlement in Big Dig Death" (http://enews. The next day.Wikipedia. revised their product specifications on May 15. The Washington Post.html? nav=hcmoduletmv.wikipedia. 2007 to increase the safety factor from 4 to 10 for all of their epoxy products intended for use in overhead applications. mit. 2006. Retrieved 2007-12-10. http://www.mass.com/2006/US/07/12/bigdigdeath. Tragedy Mark Boston's Big Dig Project" (http://cegltd. 2007.aspx) .com/inflation/.edu/rotch/artery/boston_globe. ^ "Review Begins After Big Dig Tunnel Collapse" (http://web. "Boston’s ‘Big Dig’ opens to public" (http://msnbc. ^ Associated Press (December 20. 3. Artery plan includes an awful scheme for a great wall across the Charles".html. 7.org/web/20060715075257/http://edition. "Caution: High bridge ahead.org/web/20060715075257/http://edition.com/story. Thomas (1994-06-21).gov/legis/laws/mgl/81a-3.aspx. Retrieved 2007-12-10. Boston Globe. Boston Herald.us/Highway/bigdig/projectbkg._Massachusetts) Page 12 of 14 . (http://www. ^ Green Line Extension Project (http://www.us/redblue/) 15. ^ Ross. http://msnbc.state. 13. http://web.htm#wins) on 2007-11-05. ^ Palmer.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/07/13/gove rnor_seeks_to_take_control_of_big_dig_inspections.com/projects/? mode=region&id=3418) 20.thestar. "Governor seeks to take control of Big Dig inspections" (http://web.asp? story=8751&headline=Triumph.asp? story=8751&headline=Triumph.Wikipedia.Mott MacDonald Project Page (http://tunnels.state. Boston Globe.msn.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/07/13/governor_seeks_to_take_control_of_big_dig_ins pections) on March 11.com/2006/US/07/12/bigdigdeath.%20Tragedy%20Mark%20Boston%E2%80%99s%20Big%20Dig%20Project) . http://news.massdot.eot.ap/index. ^ a b "The Inflation calculator" (http://www. 2008 9.nap.us/Highway/bigdig/projectbkg. Section 3.org/web/20070311201155/http://www. ^ OIG Testimony CC-2005-027.Project Background" (http://www." http://en.org/web/20071105064639/http://libraries. "Triumph.cnn.bg?articleid=1016016) .archive.state.greenlineextension. 8.boston.ma.ma. Glen (2006-07-13).htm) 21.com/Business/article/296783) Toronto Star January 23.cnn.com/news/traffic/bigdig/articles/2008/07/17/big_digs_red_ink_engulfs_state/) .com. "Impact of Water Leaks on the Central Artery/Tunnel Project and Remaining Risks" 18. 1990). The Big Dig. ^ Contractors to settle Boston Big Dig suit for $450M (http://www. http://web. Casey (2007-08-08). Retrieved 2007-12-25. 2008 10.org/) 16. Retrieved 2006-07-25. Pete (2007-06-06). ^ Red Line / Blue Line Connector (http://www. Retrieved 2006-07-18. Boston Globe.org/) 14.html) on July 15. 12.php?record_id=10629&page=14 6.bostonherald.org/web/20071105064639/http://libraries.mottmac. 5. 2003). http://cegltd. ^ "The Big Dig . Archived from the original (http://edition.archive.com/2006/US/07/12/bigdigdeath. ^ Johnson.ma. Massachusetts Department of Transportation. http://www.com/inflation/) . ^ Campbell. 1991 17. ^ MGL Chapter 81A.boston. 4. "The grotesque monstrosity that will be the new Central Artery requires a certain power of imagination to be grasped.boston. CNN. ^ Dan McNichol and Andy Ryan.bostonherald.archive.org/wiki/Big_Dig_(Boston.edu/rotch/artery/boston_globe. ^ The Arborway Committee (http://www.ap/index.edu/rotch/artery/boston_globe.htm#wins. "State Wins Federal OK to Start River-Crossing Part of Artery Project" (http://web.archive.archive.wikipedia.westegg. Boston Globe. Retrieved 2007-12-25. ^ http://www.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/07/13/gov ernor_seeks_to_take_control_of_big_dig_inspections) . 19. ^ a b c Sigmund.westegg.com/id/3769829.cnn.archive.Big Dig . Archived from the original (http://libraries. Maybe that's why people are only now beginning to get upset about it. "Epoxy company hit with Big Dig indictment" (http://news. the free encyclopedia 8/14/11 9:36 AM guid=20071225/47708e50_3ca6_1552620071225-412521942.arborway. 11. 2006-07-12.mit.msn.com/story. MSNBC.com/id/3769829) . July 17.mit.ap/index.com/localRegional/view. Retrieved 2009-11-04.htm#wins) . Archived from the original (http://www.com/localRegional/view. Robert (June 24. Retrieved 2006-07-13.boston. Construction Equipment Guide.massdot. Silver Lining Press.html) .org/web/20070311201155/http://www. ^ Boston Central Artery Jacked Tunnels .edu/openbook. ^ Big Dig's red ink engulfs state (http://www.bg?articleid=1016016. http://web.%20Tragedy%20Mark%20Boston%E2%80%99s%20Big%20Dig%20Project. com/crossings/zakim/) . p.massdot.com/bostonherald/access/969503741. 37.com/s/ap/20071225/ap_on_re_us/big_dig_the_end) . 26.boston.cgi? dbkey=241&type=Press+Release&src=news) . http://www.org/web/20061018110428/http://www.html) .massdot. Table 3-1 29.ma.archive. Table 3-6 27.html? dids=969503741:969503741&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jan+14%2C+2006&author=CASEY+ROSS&pub=B oston+Herald&edition=&startpage=009&desc=Hallelujah+Hub+drivers!+Last+Big+Dig+ramp+done._Massachusetts) Page 13 of 14 . 38. "Hallelujah Hub drivers! Last Big Dig ramp done" (http://pqasb.boston.html) .com/bostonherald/access/969503741.massturnpike.com/user-cgi/news.php. Elizabeth (2006-07-28]).Big Dig .thebostonchannel.com/news/local/articles/2008/11/16/big_dig_pushes_bottlenecks_outward/. Retrieved 2006-08-08. 34.eyewitnessnewstv.redorbit.massturnpike.com/article/CA6357443.designnews.Wikipedia.com/news/local/articles/2008/11/16/big_dig_pushes_bottlenecks_outward/) . "Boston's Big Dig – One of Engineering's Biggest Mistakes?" (http://www.html) . February 2006. Retrieved 2009-04-01. Thomas C.com/bigdig/3924866/detail.asp?S=4868505&nav=F2DO. Retrieved 2006-07-18.pdf Transportation Impacts of MTA and CAT project.yahoo. Seattle Post- Intelligencer (SeattlePi.html.massturnpike. Boston Globe. 36.pdf Transportation Impacts of MTA and CAT project. ^ a b "Report: Even More Big Dig Leaks Found" (http://www.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/08/17/governor_names_ill_firm_to_lead_big_dig_audit/ ) .ma. See WikiNews article here. "Governor names Ill.html.asp?S=4868505&nav=F2DO) .thebostonchannel.us/Highway/downloads/financial/MTA-Economic-V1. Boston Globe. 2006. ^ Ross. Raja (2006-08-17). 2006-07- 27. ^ http://www. Boston Herald. Retrieved 2006- 07-18.boston. 35.bostonroads. Retrieved 2006-12-03. Retrieved 2006-07-17. Sean (2008-11-16). ^ "Turnpike News" (http://web. WPRI. (March 12.state. http://www. 23. ^ "Leonard P. ^ Report: Even More Big Dig Leaks Found . Retrieved 2006-07-18.com/Global/story.com/news/business/591773/tunnel_horror__the_emergency/index.bostonroads.org/web/20061018110428/http://www. firm to lead Big Dig audit" (http://www.eyewitnessnewstv. the free encyclopedia 8/14/11 9:36 AM 22. http://www.com/user-cgi/news.pqarchiver.com. http://www. tunnel ceiling inspections ordered" (http://web.com/Global/story.us/Highway/downloads/financial/MTA-Economic-V1.cgi?dbkey=241&type=Press%20Release&src=news) on October 18. February 2006.html) .com/articles/2006/03/19/news/notes.html? dids=969503741:969503741&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jan+14%2C+2006&author=CASEY+ROSS&pub=B oston+Herald&edition=&startpage=009&desc=Hallelujah+Hub+drivers!+Last+Big+Dig+ramp+done) . Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.designnews.state. Retrieved 2009-04-01.html) 31.seattlepi.boston. ^ Boston's $14.thebostonchannel. http://www. 2007-01-17.com/bigdig/3924866/detail.php) . ^ "Romney to return contributions from Big Dig concrete workers" (http://www.archive. 30. http://www. ^ "Mass.wikipedia.iht. http://pqasb.WCVB Boston (http://www. 12/25/07 25. Zakim-Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge" (http://www. "Big Dig pushes bottlenecks outward" (http://www.redorbit.iht.com/bigdig/3924866/detail. "Cambridge sues to halt bridge plan".com/articles/2006/03/19/news/notes.com/national/1110AP_Big_Dig. 1995). By Steve LeBlanc.com/article/CA6357443. Associated Press. International Herald Tribune. http://www. http://web. Retrieved 2006-07-18.state.cgi? dbkey=241&type=Press+Release&src=news. Casey (2006-01-14). Design News. 32. Archived from the original (http://www.com/user-cgi/news. ^ http://www. ^ "State weighs suing 'Big Dig' contractors" (http://www. BostonRoads. Boston Globe. 2004-11-17.com/news/business/591773/tunnel_horror__the_emergency/index. ^ "Man dies in tunnel backup" (http://www.com). ^ Murphy.pqarchiver.8B Big Dig finally complete (http://news.archive. http://www. Boston Herald. February 2006. 2006-09-01. 2006-03-20.html. 24. WCVB-TV.org/web/20070713070649/http://www. ^ Palmer Jr.org/wiki/Big_Dig_(Boston. 24 28.com/crossings/zakim/. ^ http://www. ^ Mishra.pdf Transportation Impacts of MTA and CAT project.massdot. ^ Taurasi.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/08/17/governor_names_ill_firm_to_lead_big_dig_audit/.Big Dig News Story . Archived from the original http://en.ma.us/Highway/downloads/financial/MTA-Economic-V1. Retrieved 2006-08-11. 33. org/web/20070713070649/http://www. 2004-11-19. Sean P.edu/rotch/artery/) Steve Anderson's BostonRoads. Retrieved 2006- 01-07.Big Dig . 2006.com/news/traffic/bigdig/articles/2007/12/24/settlement_reached_in_big_dig_death/? p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed1.gov/Pressrel/2007/070710b. Michael.com/news/traffic/bigdig/articles/2007/12/24/settlement_reached_in_big_dig_death/? p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed1) .html) – Central Artery Powell. Boston Globe. http://articles.html) .com/2011-07-10/news/29758587_1_light-fixture-tunnels-state-engineers. Route 1 | Interstate 93 | North End. 2007-10-05.massdot. ntsb.boston.com) PBS. ^ "Safety Board Determines Cause of Boston's Big Dig Tunnel Ceiling Collapse Last Year" (http://www.html. ^ Murphy. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License._Massachusetts) Page 14 of 14 . the free encyclopedia 8/14/11 9:36 AM (http://www.html) .com/2011-03-16/news/29350222_1_tunnels-fixtures-fluorescent-lights. http://www.ma.us/Highway/bigdig/bigdigmain. Massachusetts | Engineering projects This page was last modified on 3 August 2011 at 18:36. Megan (2007-12-24).org/wgbh/buildingbig/wonder/structure/central_artery. Retrieved 11 July 2011.wikipedia.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/12/manslaughter_ch_1. 44.seattlepi.com. Retrieved 11 July 2011. ^ a b "Power-Fast+ Epoxy Adhesive System" (http://www.. Sean (2008-12-17).com/wp- dyn/articles/A61112-2004Nov18. http://articles.boston. additional terms may apply.com/2011-07-10/news/29758587_1_light-fixture-tunnels-state-engineers) .seattlepi.massdot.ntsb.htm.ma. ^ Murphy.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/12/manslaughter_ch_1.com/product_08402.com (http://bostonroads.us/Highway/images/bigdig/completion_lg.com/product_08402. See Terms of use for details.org (http://pbs.gov.jpeg) Boston CA/T Project History at MIT Rotch Library (http://libraries. 2007. http://en.rwdi.org/wiki/Big_Dig_(Boston. "State says some light fixtures in Big Dig tunnels are flawed" (http://articles.state.com/national/1110AP_Big_Dig. Massachusetts | U. Boston Globe. External links Official site (http://www. 39. 42.html) . http://www. Scott (12 July 2011). Retrieved 2007-12-25.html) on July 13.aspx) Project map (http://www. 43.boston. Retrieved 2007-07-12. "Worries about lights were kept in the dark" (http://articles.org/wiki/Big_Dig" Categories: Tunnels in Massachusetts | Transportation in Boston.gov/Pressrel/2007/070710b. Allen. Washington Post.html.com/project/boston_central_artery) performed by RWDI Retrieved from "http://en.archive.. powers. Retrieved 2008-12-17. ^ Moskowitz. 40. a non-profit organization.powers.state. http://www. Consulting services (http://www.wikipedia.boston. 41. Inc.mit.boston. Retrieved 2006-07-12.boston. Retrieved on August 9. The Boston Globe. "Settlement reached in Big Dig death" (http://www.S. "Boston's Big Dig Awash in Troubles" (http://washingtonpost. Boston | Buildings and structures in Boston. ^ Woolhouse.Wikipedia.ntsb.powers.com/2011-03-16/news/29350222_1_tunnels-fixtures-fluorescent-lights) .com/national/1110AP_Big_Dig. http://web. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation. http://www.html.htm) . Boston Globe.boston. "Manslaughter charges dismissed in Big Dig collapse" (http://www. Eric (16 March 2011).
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