By Associated Press, 12/26/02

BOSTON The final link connecting the Massachusetts Turnpike to Logan International Airport is complete and targeted for opening over the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, Big Dig officials said Thursday.

The tunnel, which allow travelers to drive directly from the turnpike to the Ted Williams tunnel and on to Logan, was originally scheduled to open Dec. 20. But that was delayed by glitches in a computer system that allows operators to use video cameras inside the tunnel to monitor traffic accidents, fires and other emergencies.

Big Dig officials had previously said they were targeting mid-January for the opening of the tunnel, but had not pinpointed a specific weekend or day. The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday is Jan. 20.

When the tunnel is open, the Ted Williams Tunnel which is currently restricted to commercial traffic will open to everyone and motorists will be able to go directly from the turnpike to Logan without passing through the often-congested Callahan tunnel.

About four weeks after the opening of the Turnpike extension, Big Dig officials hope to cut the ribbon on the new Interstate 93 northbound portion of the project running under downtown Boston.