Modern Continental reaches $21m settlement for Big Dig collapse

"The agreement, ..., would also bar the construction contractor from doing any further work on the Big Dig." Did they also agree to not eat at Buzzy's or buy new Oldsmobiles? What a joke.

So, does all this money go to pay for the tunnel maintainance and debt or the general fund to pay for Bill Bulgers retirement?

Modern Continental is nothing more then a shell company for it's insurance company who put up their bond. They figured it was less expensive to keep Modern on life support then finish up Moderns obligations they are on the hook for via their bond. All of Moderns assets that were worth anything were sold to J Cashman a couple of years ago.

A company that is no longer in business can no longer do work on the Central Artery - score a big one for the AG's office.

Are these settlements sufficient to correct the defects and shoddy work that was done on this project? This company should be banned from ever doing work in Massachusetts, for knowingly supplying old, substandard concrete 100's of times on the big dig and submitting false invoices. Why do the people of Massachusetts have to put up with these politically influenced contracts, lobbying and payoffs that still affect the big dig. Who knows what disasters still await us? Also, on Beverly St., from North Station going over to the State Police area, there are jersey barriers, all with the name Jay Cashman on them. Since he is one of Sal DiMasi's cronies and whose company has been part of the debacle, I would like to know, are the taxpayers of Massachusetts paying rent for these jersey barriers?

I wrote the MA AG when the epoxy company was named as the first and primary defendant in this case. I said that regardless of the type of epoxy used that the epoxy was not the cause of the collapse, as there were photos released just after the collapse showing bolts with almost no epoxy on them. Accusing the epoxy company was a cheap and easy shot by the AG's office, in my opinion. I'm glad the real culprits of the ceiling collapse were finally charged, although I'm sure that the truly responsible individuals avoided any serious punishment.

Who are the people in charge at Modern Continental, and what are they doing now? The answer to this question is probably far more essential than this trifiling story about the "old" company that no longer exists. Chances are good that they are back in the mix by some other entity- and getting the same old perks. Companies aren't liable- people are.

Oh sure. Money settles everything. And the caveat that they can't work on the BIG DIG any more? Wow! The damage is done how about no more work for Massachusetts at all?

Modern Continental has been sued for shoddy workmanship and substandard materials used since the early 80's.....No shock their stuff is still falling apart and will continued to do so for generations to come. They should be barred from any and all municipal projects.

I hope that some local reporter/writer has the GUTS to investigate how much $$ that Modern Continental made working on the " Big Dig" over the last 12 to 15 years! Maybe then AG Coakley will get off her Butt and go after the big " players" in this Fiasco... don't hold your breath!

Please explain to me why our toll prices are going to be raised when they just settled this case for 21 Million. Why shouldn't that money, and the $450 Billion they are looking for from Bechtel, be used to offset deficits of the Turnpike? Not only did our tax dollars pay for the Big Dig, hard working taxpayers must also pay for the lawsuit against the construction companies at fault for the collapse, and still pay toll increases to offset a debt. The Massachusetts taxpayer is getting screwed and we should start fighting back.

Modern's new company is L&M Holdings. Get it. Les Marinos (L&M). He's gone, but the top players are the same. Modern made their fortune by not only shoddy work, but by cheating and not paying many smaller subcontractors and truckers. I guess God had enough of him too. Hopefully he is in his own dig below.

I still want to hear a good reason why giant cement slabs are dangling from the ceiling like this. It seems to me there are hundreds of accidents waiting to happen in the tunnels. The bolts, fasteners, and epoxy may be fine today. but what about 20 years from now? What about after an earthquake? We do have there here you know. And we are due for some large ones if I remember correctly.

Mr. Dwyer,
Do you guys do any investigative reporting anymore?
Where is the $450M from Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff, and the
$21 from Modern Continental going?

Once-again the citizen's of Massachusetts are screwed by Big Business. Someone should have gone to jail over this matter.

All I can say is that MONEY doesn't replace LIVES and that's what's going to happen again.. God Bless us all. And good going Martha you're doing a fantastic job, keep up the good work........

The epoxy maker sued be cause it was the only deep pocket company with no local political connections.

And yes Micheal I agree, I really can't figure out why hundreds of two ton concrete slabs are being used as a suspended ceiling.

@aging cynic "Did they also agree to not eat at Buzzy's or buy new Oldsmobiles?"

Haha. Used to love that place. But Buzzy's has been gone for about 4 years now.

Modern Continental hasn't done work on the Big Dig for a few years now anyways. There's nothing left to it.

How can you get monies out of a bankrupt company This is Martha(wheres the camera)Coakley blowing smoke so she can add this to her list of do nothings in a bid for higher office, govenor or Senator. Oh, and Modern can't do anymore work on the big dig. Isn't that job done, or are taxpayers going to incur more debt by a contractor that is no longer in business. The public deserves better!