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Thursday, July 13, 2006
Engineers find 240 more “suspect bolts” in tunnel
By Andrew Ryan, Globe Correspondent

Engineers investigating the collapse of the Interstate 90 connector tunnel said this afternoon that they have found about 240 more "suspect bolts" securing concrete ceiling tiles similar to those that fell Monday night and crushed a woman to death.

In some areas, inspectors have found a gap of at least 1/16 of an inch between the steel hangers and concrete, according to Michael P. Lewis, the state's Big Dig project director.

“It may not be a failure,” Lewis said, speaking at an afternoon press conference. “It may just be a natural gap.”

Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Chairman Matthew J. Amorello said workers have already removed 12 sections of the concrete tiles and plan to remove tiles from another 20 areas in the eastbound and high occupancy lanes.

Officials did not give a timetable for how long the tunnel would remain closed and said it may open in sections, a process that could take weeks.

The 200-foot tunnel, which links Interstate 93 to the Ted Williams Tunnel, has been closed since late Monday night. Bolts in the ceiling failed and 12 tons of concrete cascaded into the tunnel and crushed a car, killing Milena Del Valle, 38. Her husband, Angel Del Valle, 46, escaped with minor injuries.

Officials said that all the sections of the tunnel with the problem bolts have been closed since the accident.

Earlier today, Secretary of Transportation John Cogliano said that the ceiling above the westbound lanes in the connector tunnel was in “worse shape” than the concrete ceiling panels above the eastbound lanes.

Cogliano made the remark at a press conference at which Governor Mitt Romney announced he was filing emergency legislation to take control of the investigation of the Big Dig tunnels, a move that has support of legislative leaders.

Romney said he wants inspectors and engineers examining the connector tunnel to report to Cogliano, instead of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.

“We want to have our personnel watching on site, making a determination as far as go or no go as far as the tunnel re-opening,” Romney said. He added: “The current leadership of the turnpike authority has lost public confidence, pure and simple.”

Romney wants to take control of both the immediate investigation of the ceiling system and a longer term inspection of the entire Big Dig tunnel system. The governor said he wants access to Turnpike Authority records, designs and inspections.

Romney’s legislation calls for $20 million to complete a “stem to stern” safety audit of the entire Central Artery/Tunnel project. The measure would take effect immediately if passed by the Legislature.

Posted by the Boston Globe City & Region Desk at 06:05 PM