The Big Dig Defect Was No Secret
Posted by
Bob CarrollJuly 13, 2006 7:03 AMStructural building defects that suddenly take a live or lives have many fathers.
My experience in cases where a death or serious injury occurs because of a structural defect parallels what is being reported in the New York Times about the Big Dig tragedy in Boston. Investigation almost always reveals advance warning and multiple responsible parties who each failed to do what was required.
Wide Flaws Found in Boston Tunnel After Death
Massachusetts officials on Wednesday ordered every road and tunnel in the city highway system examined after inspectors found at least 60 more trouble spots in the Big Dig tunnel where a woman was crushed to death on Monday by three-ton ceiling tiles. Michael Lewis, the project director for the Big Dig, said bolts appeared to be loose, that gaps existed or that other parts of the ceiling system seemed "compromised" in at least 60 places in the tunnel.
In addition, the Massachusetts attorney general said that problems with ceiling anchor bolts in the tunnel had been identified in 1999, when the ceiling was built, and that his office was investigating to see whether a plan to correct those problems was carried out.
"This is a massive failure, far beyond the events of Monday night," said the attorney general, Thomas F. Reilly.
Structural building defects that suddenly take a live or lives have many fathers.
My experience in cases where a death or serious injury occurs because of a structural defect parallels what is being reported in the New York Times about the Big Dig tragedy in Boston. Investigation almost always reveals advance warning and multiple responsible parties who each failed to do what was required.
Wide Flaws Found in Boston Tunnel After Death
Massachusetts officials on Wednesday ordered every road and tunnel in the city highway system examined after inspectors found at least 60 more trouble spots in the Big Dig tunnel where a woman was crushed to death on Monday by three-ton ceiling tiles. Michael Lewis, the project director for the Big Dig, said bolts appeared to be loose, that gaps existed or that other parts of the ceiling system seemed "compromised" in at least 60 places in the tunnel.
In addition, the Massachusetts attorney general said that problems with ceiling anchor bolts in the tunnel had been identified in 1999, when the ceiling was built, and that his office was investigating to see whether a plan to correct those problems was carried out.
"This is a massive failure, far beyond the events of Monday night," said the attorney general, Thomas F. Reilly.