Feds In Hub To Probe Big Dig Leaks

BOSTON -- Members of Congress will be in Boston Friday to get answers about problems on the Big Dig.

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Rhondella Richardson Reports On Hearing

NewsCenter 5's Rhondella Richardson reported that the Committee On Government Reform will travel to the Hub from Washington to grill project managers and watchdogs. The long witness list for the hearing at the Moakley Federal Courthouse includes state Attorney General Tom Reilly as well as Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Chairman Matthew Amorello.

Officials are now reporting that number of leaks in the Interstate 93 tunnel is now up to 1,400 and the questions of whether the tunnel is safe and whether the leaks can be fixed will now go before the federal panel, putting Big Dig contractors on the hot seat as congressional investigators and state officials look to ensure that taxpayers won't have to pay for future repairs.

Some state officials have said putting grout into the leaks isn't fixing problems and federal overseers aren't convinced that's the solution either.

The Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel project, which buried Interstate 93 underground and connected the Massachusetts Turnpike to Logan International Airport, was initially estimated to cost $2 billion and was slated for completion in the late 1990s. Costs skyrocketed to more than $14 billion.

The contractor, Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff, defends itself saying the price rose as the project expanded and experienced delays. The firm maintains that the project is safe and has said it will be responsible for future maintenance.

What Needs To Happen With Big Dig?