Modern Continental settles Big Dig ceiling collapse negligence for $21m

Modern Continental Construction (Modern) and their insurance companies Travelers and Firemans Fund have reached a settlement on behalf of the Mass Pike of $21m for the fatal ceiling collapse of July 10 2006 and other claims. Modern has to extend their $2b performance bonds for another six years and will pay any costs above set thresholds.

The announcement was made by the Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley.

Modern which was the largest construction company on the Big Dig is in bankruptcy and the settlement has to be approved by bankruptcy court.

Another company which supplied the defective epoxy to Modern, Newman has also settled and will pay teh Turnpike $5m.

The major blame among contractors and consultants for the Big Dig disasters has been attributed to a Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff project management team. They agreed to pay back $407m January 2008 ina  settlement of civil and criminal charges in connection with the tunnel ceiling collapse and failures in the slurry walls.

A criminal case continues against Power Fasteners the company which marketed the defective epoxy anchor system.

TOLLROADSnews 2008-11-16