AG settles with final two firms in fatal collapse of Big Dig tunnel

The Massachusetts attorney general's office said yesterday it had reached two more settlements with companies involved in building the Big Dig tunnel that collapsed in July 2006 and killed a Jamaica Plain woman. The settlements marked the end of the state's legal campaign against companies who worked on the giant project, officials said.

Attorney General Martha Coakley, announcing the settlements with Gannett Fleming Inc. of Camp Hill, Pa., and Sika Corp. of Lyndhurst, N.J., said in a statement that she wanted to resolve all the matters relating to the collapse in "a manner that was fair and just for the Commonwealth, and for the loved ones of [tunnel collapse victim] Milena Del Valle who so tragically lost her life almost three years ago. We believe that we have achieved that goal."

She said the resolutions with the companies held those responsible accountable, ensured that similar problems will be prevented, and provided the state with money to maintain the tunnels and other transportation infrastructure in the future.

Gannett Fleming, which designed the section of the I-90 connector tunnel ceiling that collapsed, agreed to pay a total of $1.575 million to the state and the city of Boston and to forgo $150,000 in payments from the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. Sika, which made the glue used in the ceiling, agreed to pay $200,000 to the state.

Gannett Fleming issued a statement saying it was pleased to have reached an agreement.

"While this settlement brings to a close the investigation and litigation that arose from the accident that took the life of Milena Del Valle, we remain deeply saddened by the tragic loss," the statement said. "We are working with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to educate the engineering and construction community about the need for regular and periodic inspections of adhesive anchors in tension."

A message left for a comment from Siko was not immediately returned.

The attorney general's office dismissed claims against Sigma Engineering International Inc. and Conam Inc., saying the companies were not liable in the ceiling collapse.

Emily LaGrassa, a spokeswoman for the attorney general's office, said the final two settlements marked the end of a litigation campaign against Big Dig companies by Coakley's office, working with the US attorney's office and other government and law enforcement agencies.

The campaign resulted in a $610.6 million in recoveries by the state, both for the ceiling collapse and a variety of other problems, including wall leaks, adulterated cement, and design errors.

The attorney general's office, then headed by Thomas Reilly, took over cost recovery efforts in February 2005. LaGrassa said Reilly's efforts laid the foundation for Coakley's efforts.