Big Dig Ceiling Collapse - Cause

Cause

Numerous problems with this same system of bolts and epoxy in the Ted Williams Tunnel were revealed in a 1998 (Massachusetts) Office of the Inspector General report. Not only were the bolts too short, but the epoxy used to glue the bolts into the concrete was not up to standard. The state Turnpike Authority (citing the existence of an ongoing criminal investigation into the tunnel ceiling collapse) and the Federal Highway Administration have refused requests to release documents relating to the work conducted along the Seaport connector, including:

• Deficiency reports that would have shown problems flagged during initial work on the tunnel.
• Construction change orders that would have shown costly repairs and contract revisions that occurred because of deficiencies.
• Inspection reports and other documents that would show who would have knowledge of the workmanship and building material quality.

Likewise, just one year earlier, U.S. Representative Stephen Lynch had trouble obtaining records regarding the Big Dig tunnel leaks for the Congress' Committee on Government Oversight.