Second Firm Charged in Big Dig Collapse

Jason Sandefur

Modern Continental Corp., which earned $3.2 billion as the largest contractor on Boston’s Big Dig tunnel system, has filed for bankruptcy after federal authorities filed criminal charges against the company for allegedly hiding shoddy workmanship, the Boston Globe reports.

Federal prosecutors have filed 49 individual charges against the company alleging it was responsible for flaws that caused a series of tunnel leaks as well as a ceiling collapse in 2006 that killed a motorist.

Attorney Michael Sullivan said prosecutors charged Modern Continental after extended negotiations toward a plea bargain collapsed.

“Ultimately, Modern Continental became one of the biggest symbols for all that went wrong on the $15 billion project,” according to the Boston Globe.

New York-based Powers Fasteners was charged in 2007 with manslaughter in the death of Milena Del Valle, who was crushed when the tunnel collapsed. Powers Fasteners, which manufactured the epoxy blamed for the tunnel collapse, reached a $6 million civil settlement with the woman’s family. �2008 FastenerNews.com