BOSTON -- Gov. Mitt Romney called for the resignation of Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Chairman Matt Amorello Friday.

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Jack Harper Reports On Big Dig RESOURCES Complete Big Dig Coverage

NewsCenter 5's Jack Harper reported that this week the public learned that the $14.6 billion Big Dig project is riddled with hundreds of leaks. Now, new light is being shed on how much the Turnpike Authority knew about the problems and when.

"I concluded that it was time to ask Chairman Amorello to resign. I believe that it is time for the management of the Turnpike Authority, and specifically the Big Dig, to be put in the hands of someone who has extensive experience in managing a project of this nature," said Romney.

Amorello announced Friday evening that he will not resign his position.

"I told (Romney) that I will not step down and there is no justifiable reason for me to do so," Amorello said. "First off, let me start by saying that when the Big Dig's tunnel system opened in 2003, it was perfectly safe. It remains so today."

The governor said revelations that some turnpike officials knew about the shoddy work that lead to September's Interstate 93 tunnel leak should be the end of the line for Amorello. Earlier this week, Amorello said the turnpike didn't know about the leaks until September.

"Nothing (Amorello) told me indicated that the report was in any way inaccurate -- meaning, apparently, indeed employees of the turnpike authority were aware of the problems with the particular (cement) pour and had been copied on a memo. For me, that was an indication that management and leadership had not done its job," said Romney.

"Those notations are well documented, and yet the work was allowed to continue by the private management consultant overseeing the project. That is simply unacceptable, and is something that is being dealt with by the turnpike's Cost Recovery Team," said Amorello.

"I believe with public's loss of confidence, it is now time for Matt Amorello to step down voluntarily," said Romney.

"It is disheartening when public officials take and opportunity to frighten the public. There is no issue here with the public driving on this roadway," said Amorello.

The Turnpike Authority is an independent agency, and Romney cannot fire Amorello, whose contract runs through 2007.