Big Dig tunnels spring 237 leaks
Overall, a recent engineering report shows there are a total of 670 Big Dig leaks, of which the 237 are in a category considered the most serious."I don't like to see 670 leaks - that has to be erased," said Robert Rooney, deputy secretary for public works, who assumed his state job in July.
Rooney said his boss, Transportation Secretary Bernard Cohen, ordered the Turnpike Authority late last year to assign one engineer to work full time on the leaks. He also ordered the authority to increase the number of contractor crews fighting leaks from just one to five or six.
Rooney said the number of leaks should be reduced to no more than a couple of dozen by the end of 2008.
"We don't want to have to rebuild those tunnels because of damage," he said. "Proper maintenance can extend its life indefinitely."
If girders were degraded and reconstruction required, Big Dig managers - as well as drivers - would face a logistical nightmare. With the old elevated Central Artery torn down, there is no simple alternative route for getting traffic through the city.
If girders were degraded and reconstruction required??? Is this really an option?
Again, I just want to stay home and bunker down.
