Thursday, 4:30 PM
Romney: Big Dig ramp is ready, pending federal inspection
By Andrew Ryan, Globe Correspondent, and Raja Mishra, Globe Staff
Governor Mitt Romney this afternoon said that a key section of the Big Dig was “ready to go” pending approval by federal engineers. The ramp had been closed for almost a month since a partial ceiling collapse killed a motorist in an adjoining tunnel
“I’m very pleased with the work that’s been completed,” Romney said at a press conference at the mouth of the closed tunnel.
“This tunnel is ready to go unless we receive input from the federal government on any changes,” Romney continued. “And that’s very possible. If they do, then those will need to be made. If they don’t, then we’ll be ready as soon as they give us the word.”
The tunnel, known as Ramp A, links D Street in South Boston to a short section of the Interstate 90 connector, which leads into the eastbound Ted Williams Tunnel, offering access to Logan International Airport and the North Shore.
While Romney estimated that the ramp accounts for only about 10 percent of the Big Dig that has been closed since the accident, reopening it is “huge from a traffic reduction impact.”
Workers removed 10 concrete ceiling tiles similar to those that fell and used cables to reinforce two massive exhaust fans.
“The get fans in particular are pretty impressive,” Romney said, adding, “We basically have a belt and suspenders. The original system is there and a new system is in place.”
On Thursday, construction crews moved concrete traffic barriers in place in front of Ramp A to keep vehicles away from a troubled section of the Interstate 90 connector tunnel. Twelve-tons of concrete ceiling panels crashed into the connector on July 10 and killed Melina Del Valle, 38, of Jamaica Plain.
In addition to the major overhaul in the I-90 connector, state engineers and work crews have considerable work ahead of them. A top-to-bottom safety inspection of the entire Central Artery project has been scheduled by Governor Mitt Romney, and any problems detected may require new fixes and new closings.
