BOSTON -- Officials identified several areas in Big Dig tunnels Tuesday where steel tiebacks were used that may be similar to the tieback used on the concrete panels in the Interstate-90 tunnel that crashed, killing a Boston woman.

Milena Delvalle, 38, of Jamaica Plain, was killed. Her husband, Angel Delvalle, 46, managed to crawl out of a window of their car when the steel tieback that held the ceiling panels in place gave way. The couple was on their way to Logan International Airport at the time of the accident.

The accident happened at about 11 p.m. in the eastbound connector tunnel that links Interstate 90 with the Ted Williams Tunnel near Northern Avenue in South Boston.

Massachusetts Turnpike Authority chairman Matthew Amorello said that officials were working to remove the panels inside the tunnel that are held in place by the tiebacks. Officials said there were 17 other locations inside the I-90 tunnel where tiebacks were used to hold up the ceiling panels.

"There was a snapping sound heard," Amorello said. "One of the tile panels from the roof released. It caused a series of panels to be released."

Amorello said that he hoped to have the tunnel opened by Wednesday afternoon, but he said motorists should expect a similar commute Wednesday as many experienced Tuesday.

Officials said that the same tiebacks were used inside the Ted Williams Tunnel, but a different type of ceiling structure was used when it was built. Inspections were done on that tunnel 10 years ago, and there have been no structural problems reported.

"My focus is maintaining the safety of these tunnels. We will take every measure to make sure that this does not happen again," Amorello said. "My commitment is to make sure this never happens again."

Amorello said the ceiling panels were put in place in 1999, and the contractor was Modern Continental. Officials from Modern Continental were at the scene, helping investigators.

"We express our sincere condolences to the Delvalle family. Modern Continental is cooperating fully with the investigation into the cause of this tragedy. We are confident that our work fully complied with the plans and specifications provided by the Central Artery Tunnel Project. In addition, the work was inspected and approved by the Central Artery Tunnel Project," Modern Continental said in a statement.

Attorney General Tom Reilly's office began issuing subpoenas Tuesday afternoon to those involved in the design and oversight of the panels and the tunnel.

"What we are looking at is anyone who had anything to do with what happened last night," Reilly said. "No one is going to be spared."

Meanwhile, after touring the tunnel after the accident, Gov. Mitt Romney said he's taking legal action to remove Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Chairman Matthew Amorello from his position. Romney said that Amorello "undermined public safety" through what he called "leadership failures."

Amorello did not directly address Romney's decision, saying that his first priority was to ensure that the tunnels were safe.

"I respect the words of many people today. It was an awful tragedy that occurred last evening," Amorello said. "The other circumstances that were discussed today, I will deal with those as appropriate. I have a great deal of respect for the attorney general and for the governor, and I understand all of their desires."

Former Turnpike Authority Board member Jordan Levy said he was shocked and dismayed by the accident.

"Nobody knows what happened, we're waiting for the engineering report," Levy said. "Obviously something failed and it's time we nailed the people responsible."

Levy said he thinks the responsible parties are the contractor and Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff, which was hired to oversee construction.

The Big Dig project, which buried portions of Interstate 93 underground and created connections between Interstate 90 and Logan Airport, has been dogged by controversy for years. Most recently, leaks in one portion of highway tunnel were blamed on the use of substandard concrete.

Tuesday's accident caused major delays, as the tunnel is a major artery to Logan International Airport.

If you witnessed the Interstate 90 tunnel collapse, please send an e-mail to NewsCenter 5.