The Federal Highway Administration on Monday issued what it called an interim report on leaks in the Central Artery/Tunnel, part of Boston’s infamous Big Dig
, which has been described as the most complex, expensive highway project ever undertaken in the U.S. The federal agency said that “the tunnel is structurally sound and remains safe for traffic,” but problems persist.
The $11-billion project to replace outdated highway infrastructure with a new highway system, most of it eight to 10 lanes wide and underground, has garnered headlines from its start in 1991. Most recently it was revealed that the Big Dig tunnel is leaking; 60 leaks have been reported so far. One of them, which became obvious on September 15, 2004, poured as much as 300 gallons per minute into the tunnel.
Considering the breaches blamed on poor constructions, local officials asked the FHWA to look into the integrity of the tunnel. In the report released yesterday, the agency recommends that inspections and repairs continue to put a stop to any and all leaks as soon as possible. The interim report further recommends project authorities develop an inspection program to detect and deter any future leak problems.
The FHWA said it will “closely monitor the project to ensure that it remains safe and open to traffic and that the taxpayers’ investment is protected.”
The elevated six-lane highway replaced by the Big Dig was built in the 1950s as a state highway that ran through the center of downtown Boston. It was known as the Central Artery.