NPR: NTSB Places Blame on Big Dig Officials for Accident

NTSB Places Blame on Big Dig Officials for Accident

The National Transportation Safety Board says the ceiling collapse in Boston's Big Dig tunnel that killed a motorist a year ago might have been prevented if the designers and inspectors had considered that the epoxy used to secure tons of ceiling panels could slowly pull away.

The NTSB's report said the likely cause of the accident was the "use of an epoxy anchor adhesive with poor creep resistance," which couldn't handle long-term loads, according to The Associated Press. Tons of concrete fell from the roof of the Interstate 90 connector tunnel on July 10 of last year, killing 39-year-old Milena Del Valle as she and her husband drove toward Boston's Logan Airport.

The Boston Globe reports that the NTSB's criticisms spared few parties involved in the tunnel's construction. But many of those contractors said they shouldn't be blamed for the tunnel's problems.

The Globe also reports that scores of Del Valle's friends and family attended a service Tuesday in her memory. Her husband's lawyer says the NTSB report should make reaching a settlement with the parties named in it easier.

Morning Edition reported today that many Boston drivers say they still feel nervous about going through the Big Dig, even a year later.

As resident of Boston until recently, I can vouch for that. Between the leaks in the walls and ceiling and then the collapse, using the tunnel in the last year always left me feeling on edge, especially when my kids were in the car. The Big Dig absolutely cuts a lot of time off your drive, but it's my guess that Bostonians will always be a bit nervous about using it.

10:55 AM ET | 07-11-2007 | permalink

Comments

The real fear of the Big Dig comes mostly from the local media - the newspapers and TV stations can't get enough of it. If Channel 7 interviews a bunch of random schmoes who are in the middle of getting coffee at Dunk's about how safe they feel in the tunnels, do you really think they're going to air the responses where people say, "Actually, I feel perfectly safe?" No, of course not! They're making money off making YOU afraid of the Big Dig - If it scares people, then they spend more time in front of the TV, and that in turn sells ad space. And the average TV news watcher falls for it every single time. Fact is, you're as safe in the Big Dig tunnels as you are on any road; safer, in fact, than on many Massachusetts overpasses, I can assure you.

Sent by Rick | 12:49 PM ET | 07-11-2007

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