Federal Report: Big Dig Tunnels Safe

BOSTON -- As work continues to plug the many leaks in Big Dig tunnel projects, a report from the Federal Highway Administration said Monday the project is structurally sound.

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Janet Wu Reports On Big Dig

NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu reported that government officials sided with Massachusetts Turnpike Chairman Matt Amorello on the safety of the tunnel. They said that the slurry wall that was damaged last fall is isolated to a discreet section of the tunnel.

Poor quality control during construction was to blame for the leaks in the walls of the tunnel.

"A letter like this provides the public the knowledge that these tunnels are safe by someone other than (me) or the Turnpike Authority or some outside consultant," Amorello said.

Outside consultants told legislators last fall that the tunnel was safe and then retracted their statements last month saying they could no longer vouch for their safety.

"Public safety is our paramount responsibility. The political debate on safety should never occur. These tunnels are safe. They've always been safe," he said.

The turnpike authority has only inspected two-thirds of the walls to date. Amorello was urged to quickly inspect the remaining wall panels, seal the low-level leaks and develop a comprehensive tunnel inspection program.

Officials also noted fire proofing material needs to be replaced -- about 1,200 square feet of the project's 1.8 million square feet.

"We will resolve the leak issues by the substantial completion date of September 2005. We are wrapping this project up and will hold all of our contractors accountable to deliver to us a dry tunnel," Amorello said.

Click here to read the full report.