Jan 22, 2008 4:56 pm US/Eastern
Deal Near In Big Dig Collapse And Leaks
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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The I-90 connector tunnel eastbound the night the ceiling collapsed, July 11, 2006.
AP
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John Smith, as lead engineer, points out leak in roof girder bay for the Big Dig in December 2004.
AP
WBZ has learned that a settlement is near between the state of Massachusetts and Big Dig contractors. The settlement, which is close to $400 million, not only covers the collapse in the I-90 tunnel, but leaks and design flaws throughout the entire project.
That deal will be finalized late Tuesday or Wednesday and has been in the works for months.
WBZ has learned the deal will mean no criminal charges against Bechtel Parsons Brinkerhoff for the collapse inside the I-90 connector that killed Milena Delvalle in July, 2006.
Under the deal, however, Bechtel Parsons Brinkerhoff would still be liable for any future catastrophic accidents related to the Big Dig.
Mass. Turnpike board member Christy Mihos, a Big Dig critic, calls this settlement "chump change."
In an
email exchange with WBZ, Mihos said, "Bechtel has $150 million in legal liability anyway, so it's only $250 million more so that they are not debarred from any future federal and state contracts, as they might be if they were indicted? What a deal!"
Late last year another contractor, Powers Fasteners, reached a $6 million settlement with the family of Milena Delvalle. Powers Fasteners supplied the epoxy that held the bolts into the ceiling. That company still faces criminal charges for allegedly failing to properly warn of the consequences of using fast-drying epoxy on the ceiling.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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