The Big Dig

A post from Obscure on the Graveyard of the Gods:

As some of you may know, The Big Dig is the largest roadway/turnpike construction project in the history of the United State[no 's']. Essentially, the plan was to take all of the expressways and turnpike that ran right through the heart of Boston and move them underground. Well, for more than 20 years this project has spiralled out of control, with a budget taken from tax dollars that grew exponentially over the years. Initially it was estimated at 2.5 billion, with the cost to date around 14.6 billion.

The foibles and mismanagement of the contractors and state agencies involved are legendary and too numerous to mention. Needless to say, it's been one disaster after another. In other words, exactly what you'd expect from the state: a project run by people accountable to no one.

The last major tunnels were finally opened three years ago admist much speculation that the tunnels were unsafe. Soon after, those fears escalated when severe leaks began to appear in the tunnel roofs; massive flooding causing some tunnels to shut down. It was thought that those leaks could be sufficiently repaired.

Fast foward to this past Tuesday: A woman driving through the tunnel was killed instantly when a large section of roof tiles came crashing down onto her car.

Now, the state is forced to answer questions and try to find a solution. The problem? The state agency (the turnpike commission) chiefly responsible is beyond the reach of the executive branch's power. In the last couple of days, the governor has held a few conferences stating that he cannot do anything because, essentially, the state cannot hold the state responsible.