Massachusetts closes another Big Dig ramp for ceiling problems

BOSTON --It could take months to fix problems in the entire Big Dig highway system and reopen the roads, Gov. Mitt Romney said Sunday, the same day another ramp was closed to traffic because of what he called a "systemic failure."

The work in the tunnel closed Sunday, a three-quarters of a mile long ramp, is expected to last at least several days and comes nearly a week after the collapse that crushed a car carrying Milena Del Valle, 38.

The governor said testing on bolts used to secure the heavy concrete panels in the most recently closed tunnel revealed dozens of potential problems.

"It looks like the problem is far more substantial than just an anomaly -- that it is a systemic failure in the fastening system," Romney said. "For the entire system to be repaired and safe is probably going to take at least a couple of months, and perhaps longer."

Since Del Valle's death July 10, motorists had been using the ramp closed Sunday as a detour around the accident scene. But recent testing showed problems with 40 bolts that hold up the ceiling panels there, up from an initial 20, Romney said.

The ramp, which connects Interstate 90 westbound to Interstate 93 north and south, had been previously identified by Romney's inspection teams as a potential trouble spot, said Jon Carlisle, a state Highway Department spokesman.

"We're putting additional connections between the roof and the ceiling panels," Carlisle said, adding that the specific number of repair spots was unclear. "We're still working on the engineering."

The closure was expected to snarl traffic even worse, Carlisle said.

Romney said Sunday's closure was not called for because of any imminent danger. "We're just not willing to risk people's lives," Romney said.

Twelve tons of concrete ceiling panels crushed the passenger side of the car being driven by Del Valle's husband, Angel Del Valle, as they headed to Logan International Airport.

Connector tunnels in both directions have been closed since then.

State and federal investigators have focused on bolts used to hold the drop-ceiling system in place. Each of the concrete slabs suspended above the roadway weighs three tons.

Romney has said there are 84 potential trouble spots in the eastbound connector tunnel where Del Valle was killed. In two other adjoining sections of the tunnel, as well as traffic ramps, there are another 278 possible problems, he has said. He was expected to revise those figures Monday.

In some cases, inspectors have found ceiling bolts pulled as much as three-eighths of an inch away from the tunnel's concrete roof, he said. Investigators are focusing on the bolts and the epoxy glue used to secure them.

Romney said Sunday that many of the bolts where epoxy was used would need to be replaced or better secured, and outlined three plans for the remediation including an anchor bolt system, a steel on steel connection, and a cable system. He said removing the heavy panels isn't an option because they are "an integral part of the ventilation system."

Romney also identified three jet fans in the tunnel where Del Valle was killed that raised red flags.

"They showed signs of movement as well, therefore these jet fans are also going to have to be shored up," Romney said.

The majority of the bolt systems have now undergone pressure tests, Romney said. Pull tests are pending on bolts in the Ted Williams Tunnel, which remains open. Romney said the ceiling panels in the Ted Williams Tunnel are lighter -- about 800 pounds each -- and don't show signs of slippage that has been shown in the rest of the project.

The $14.6 billion Big Dig buried the old elevated Central Artery that used to slice through the city, replacing it with a series of tunnels. Although it's been considered an engineering marvel, the most expensive highway project in U.S. history also has also been plagued by leaks, falling debris, cost overruns, delays and problems linked to faulty construction.

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Associated Press Writer Ken Maguire contributed to this report.