Disturbing Finds in Post Mortem on Big Dig Failure

Investigators have found that the problems with the tie back system in the ceiling, similar to the one that failed and resulted in the death of Milena Delvalle and badly injured her husband, is more widespread than first believed:

Michael Lewis, the project director for the Big Dig, said inspectors have found at least 60 areas in the tunnel where bolts appear to be loose, gaps exist, or other parts of the ceiling system seem “compromised.”

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 is 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.

Matthew J. Amorello, chairman of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, ordered an evaluation of the entire highway system in the Boston area, even roads and tunnels that are not part of the Big Dig.

Mr. Reilly, a Democratic candidate for governor, said that as investigators examine the ceiling tiles that are being removed from the tunnel for inspection, “you can visually see some of these problems, you can see some loosening of those anchor bolts, and you can see some anchor bolt systems in places where they are not designed to be.”

Modern Continental built the section that failed in 1999. They've got some explaining to do, as does Bechtel Corporation and Parsons Brinckerhoff, who were the project managers. God only knows how much more this engineering mess will cost the taxpayers of Massachusetts, not to mention the costs to fix safety problems discovered in a more thorough examination that could jeopardize the public.

UPDATE:
And the mess keeps getting worse. Inspectors have quadrupled the number of problem anchors discovered.

The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority said inspectors found additional bolt assemblies that were separating from 3-ton concrete roof panels, raising the number of defects over previous inspections that found 60 defects. The earlier defects were enough for officials to order a sweeping review of every roadway, tunnel and bridge in Boston's entire highway system.

Michael Lewis, director of the Big Dig, said inspectors found 68 suspect bolt assemblies over the westbound lanes of a connector tunnel providing the main route to Logan Airport. Forty-five more were discovered in a lane carrying carpool traffic, as well as 69 in ramps connecting two interstate highways.

Legislative leaders expressed support for Romney's plan to give the governor authority over when to reopen the tunnel, which has been closed for three days.

The CAT is the primary highway through the heart of Boston. There are no other alternatives - streets can only handle a fraction of traffic.

The panels provided a dropped ceiling to assist in ventilation, but experts have questioned whether they needed to be so heavy. As the tunnel continues to undergo inspection, authorities are considering whether it would be feasible to remove the ceiling panels and leave the large fans above them exposed indefinitely.