Big Dig what-if's
Once upon a time, Peter served as general counsel for the MBTA. He needed a lawyer for his staff and interviewed somebody working for the state office that was then in charge of the Big Dig. He asked the guy what he did.
... He looked at me queerly, and said "Can I be frank?"
"I certainly hope so, in fact, I expect it," I assured him.
"I don't do anything," he said. He looked at me, embarrassed, and almost apologetic. "That's why I'm here. I'm going crazy down there, playing solitaire all day long." He shrugged. ...
He was one of 12 such lawyers in charge of overseeing contract work - all told to do nothing. And today, Peter wonders if things might be different had the been allowed to do their job. Read his full account.
Meanwhile, Bruce, who worked for Bechtel on the Big Dig from 1991 to 2000, offers some observations as well:
...If I were Tom Reilly (shudder), I would go after the B/PB Field Engineer's Daily Reports. All Field Engineers are required to keep a field book of hand-written notes, recording in detail the work that took place on that day, any and all deficiencies observed, and whatever corrective measures were implemented in the field as a result thereof. These notebooks then become part of the official project records. ...
Should the AG get his hands on these reports, and the contents therein made public, it would come as no surprise to me to see the names of unqualified individuals on the reports covering the tunnel slurry wall construction activities at the locations where the now-known deficiencies have come to light. ...
Comments
Big Dig: Oversight was an oversight
So this is what the Big Dig watchdogs were doing: nothing -- at the behest of their boss. Do give it a read. Now, it's hearsay, but how could the truth be much different? Add to my wishlist for a
Big Dig Watchdogs doing nothing?!
Now.....THAT comes as absolutely no surprise, and it's not that hard to figure out. It's just plain disgusting that that's going on--and equally disgusting that the big Dig Watchdogs are reneging on their promise to include the Green Line Extension into Somerville as part of the deal for doing the Big Dig. Or, attempting to, anyhow.