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Big Dig
In 1995, the Boston Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel, more commonly known as the Big Dig, ran billions over budget and years behind schedule. Sold to Congress as a $2.3 billion project to be completed in 1998, the Big Dig far exceeded all cost estimates, ringing in at a stunning $14.6 billion. Building the most expensive highway project in the history of the United States, the contractors Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff, drained federal money with virtually no government oversight. The lack of oversight produced flaws in design, rejection of cost saving alternatives, and problematic management practices.
Links of Interest to Contractors, Agencies and News Media
DoT Federal Highway Administration, Massachusetts Division
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/madiv/
Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Big Dig Site
http://www.masspike.com/bigdig/index.html
Big Dig Map
http://www.masspike.com/pdf/maps/I93map.pdf
Bechtel's Big Dig Site
http://www.bechtel.com/ppBoston.htm
Related Resources (government documents and letters)
POGO Files
The Big Dig Strikes Again
August 6, 2009
POGO Calls for Federal Investigation of the “Big Dig”
July 11, 2006
POGO Reports Revisited: Boston Harbor Tunnel Project
March 1, 2003
POGO Letter to Congress Endorsing a Cap on Future Federal Spending on the Big Dig
September 29, 1997
Report Update: No Light At The End Of This Tunnel: Boston's Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel Project
February 27, 1996
No Light At The End Of This Tunnel: Boston's Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel Project
February 1, 1995
No Light At the End of This Tunnel: Boston's Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel Project In 1995, the Boston Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel, more commonly known as the Big Dig, ran billions over budget and years behind schedule. Sold to Congress as a $2.3 billion project to be completed in 1998, the Big Dig far exceeded all cost estimates, ringing in at a stunning $14.6 billion. Building the most expensive highway project in the history of the United States, the contractors Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff, drained federal money with virtually no government oversight. The lack of oversight produced flaws in design, rejection of cost saving alternatives, and problematic management practices.
February 1, 1995
Related Resources
POGO's FOIA requests for Big Dig information
Scott Amey, POGO,
July 13, 2006
POGO's FOIA requests for Big Dig information
Scott Amey, Project On Government Oversight,
May 6, 2006
Six employees of Big Dig contractor charged by Federal grand jury in 135 count indictment
Christina DiIorio-Sterling, Press Contact, Department of Justice
May 4, 2006
POGO in the News
Massachusetts Whistleblower, , Oversight Watch Massachusetts (Blog), November 13, 2008
Big Dig collapse aftershocks still felt -- Safety agency will issue findings today, By Lisa Wangsness and Andrea Estes, The Boston Globe, July 10, 2007
' Big Dig' may be in Boston, but its roots are on the Hill, By Dan Rasmussen, Roll Call, September 13, 2006
Big Dig Moves Closer to Reopening Tunnel Sections , by Raja Mishra, The Boston Globe, August 4, 2006
I-Team Review: Recommendation For Big Dig Ignored - Review Asked For During Congressional Hearing, With Joe Bergantino, CBS4Bostom.com, July 28, 2006
Engineers noted bolt slippage even after passed tests, By Scott Allen and Andrea Estes, The Boston Globe, July 27, 2006
Fed. Highway Boss Once Ran Big Dig: Critics Worry About Capka Heading Tunnel Probe, Associated Press, Boston Channel – WCVBTV 5, July 23, 2006
Big Dig tragedy Could Stain Bechtel's Name; Delays, cost overruns, leaks and now a death in Boston puts spotlight on S.F. construction giant – and some of its other mammoth projects, By David R. Baker, San Francisco Chronicle, July 19, 2006
Gov. Romney grabs control of Big Dig probe, By The Associated Press, USA Today, July 14, 2006
Meehan: Treat tunnel like a crime scene, Evan Lehmann, SentinelandEnterprise.com, July 14, 2006
From Big Dig officials: Info under wraps, By Dave Wedge and Casey Ross, BostonHerald.com, July 13, 2006
Hank Investigates: Digging deeper, With Hank Phillippi Ryan , Boston Channel 7 News WHDH-TV, July 13, 2006
A Road to Tragedy: A History of Big Dig Problems, , The Boston Globe, July 13, 2006
D.C. Outrage, By Evan Lehmann, Eagle Washington Bureau, BerkshireEagle.com, July 12, 2006
