BOSTON -- Three days after a Boston woman was killed in a Big Dig tunnel ceiling collapse, Gov. Mitt Romney announced Thursday that he was filing emergency legislation that would give the executive branch the power to oversee inspection of the ceiling structure of the Interstate 90 connector. The governor also renewed his call for Massachusetts Turnpike Chairman Matt Amorello to step down.

"There should no longer be any doubt that the Turnpike Authority has failed to do its job effectively. It is hard to view Monday's catastrophe as an accident," Romney said.

"We feel that a review of the safety and integrity of this entire project needs to be done immediately, and we need to have some confidence in the ability of independent groups, agencies and experts to make the determination that the construction is sound and safe for all of us," House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi said.

Milena Del Valle, 38, and her husband, Angel, 46, were going to Logan International Airport late Monday night to pick up a brother and sister-in-law who were returning from a vacation in Puerto Rico when one of the tiebacks in an Interstate 90 connector tunnel gave way, sending the concrete ceiling panels crashing onto the Del Valles' car.

Milena Del Valle was killed instantly, but Angel Del Valle managed to escape through a narrow opening on his side of the car with only minor injuries. He was treated and released from Massachusetts General Hospital Tuesday.

Romney said Thursday that Boston law firm WilmerHale has agreed to represent the state for free as he seeks to remove Amorello.

"I am not asking for his resignation. That is what I did in the past. This is not just a time of asking for his resignation. I have instead begun a legal process to remove him, so it is not a resignation. It is a termination," Romney said.

Several of the state's top lawmakers said Amorello should step down as chairman, but not leave the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority board.

"I agree that he should step aside and be on the board,'' DiMasi said.

"I agree that Matt should evaluate his position in the scheme of things presently, and that he should give serious consideration to modifying his position in the structure," Senate President Robert Travaglini said.

Amorello firmly stated Thursday that he had no intention of resigning.

"We all have a job to do. We have a job to do to make sure that these tunnels are safe. And since Monday night, that is what I have been trying to accomplish with the steps that we've taken at the Turnpike Authority," Amorello said.

Romney said he will begin the process to remove Amorello from position shortly but does not want the process to interfere with reopening the tunnel.

Romney also outlined proposed emergency legislation that would allow for independent inspection of the tunnels by giving the executive branch, not the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, specific authority to oversee inspection of the fastening system of the concrete slabs in the ceiling of the entire I-90 tunnel system. Romney said the teams inspecting the tunnel would remain in place, but he would make the final decision about whether to reopen the tunnel to the public.

"We will work in cooperation if that is the legislation initiative that comes forward in the next several hours or 24 hours, that is what we will work with. That is my job," Amorello said.

Romney said the bill would also direct the executive branch to convene and oversee a comprehensive safety audit of the entire Central Artery Tunnel system.

"The legislation that the governor filed (Thursday) at noon is one that has a lot of merit in it. It has issues regarding the inspections. I am certainly appreciative of all the efforts at all levels of government -- federal highway, state department of transportation, MassHighway, Turnpike Authority, and our partners at the federal level -- to insure that these tunnels are safe," Amorello said Thursday.

Romney said the inspection will include the hiring of experts, cooperation with the federal government and make up to $20 million available to cover the costs associated with the review. Romney has asked the Legislature to make the bill effective as soon as it is signed.

"It comes down to the safety of our tunnel system and ultimately, an issue of public confidence. The current leadership of the Turnpike Authority has lost the public's confidence. Until we can bring in new leadership and independent review, I am asking the Legislature to act in an emergency basis to transfer to the state the authority for overseeing the inspections now under way, as well as for carrying out a complete stem-to-stern audit," Romney said.

"We all want to get to the same goal, folks -- that is to have a safe highway when we're open," Amorello said.

Travaglini and DiMasi said they are reviewing the proposal and agreed that the safety of the traveling public is paramount, but do not believe any one person or group is responsible for Monday's tragic event.

"We feel that many of the people who were involved in this contract to construct this project, wherever the cards fall, whoever is responsible, should be accountable. Whether that be criminally or civilly, we want to ensure that the public knows that every effort is being made to bring those people to justice," DiMasi said.

"I don't believe that Matt Amorello should shoulder the responsibility solely on his own. There is a history with this project, and we are all cognizant of this history. I think it is inappropriate to blame Matt Amorello for this tragic accident. And I believe there is a value to his continued participation in one form or another in this ongoing investigation," Travaglini said.

Romney said he does not want to slow the process of reopening the tunnel, so he will not replace the personnel doing the repairs, just allow for inspectors from the executive branch to oversee the work.

On Thursday, the Massachusetts congressional delegation asked the National Transportation Safety Board to launch a full-scale probe into the Big Dig. The delegation said an independent investigation is needed that is not tainted by politics.

Rep. Mike Capuano, of Somerville, said that unlike other state and federal agencies probing the project, the NTSB has no Big Dig ties.

The NTSB has not yet responded to the request.