Big Dig Firm Hired For MBTA Locomotive Project
BOSTON (CBS) - One of the major companies involved in the Big Dig disaster is back in business with the state.
The MBTA board voted unanimously to hire Parsons Brinkerhoff to help manage a new project. It will oversee the work Boise, Idaho-based MotivePower, Inc. will do.
The former lead engineer for the Big Dig, Parsons Brinkerhoff is best known in Massachusetts for the Big Dig's long delays, costly overhauls, and the 2006 tunnel collapse that killed a Jamaica Plain woman.
Now, they will earn close to $9 million to work on the $115 million project to build 20 new locomotives.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Carl Stevens reports
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In 2007, Parsons Brinkerhoff reached a $400 million settlement with state and federal prosecutors for work on the Big Dig.
The deal allowed the firm to continue doing business with the state.
Stevens talks with Transportation Secretary Jeffrey Mullan
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Transportation Secretary Jeffrey Mullan told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 the company is re-building its world-class reputation and he's confident they can do the work.
Mullan pointed out to the MBTA board that Parsons Brinkerhoff has held up its side of the deal, now the state needs to do its part.
"I think it's important that we move on from the unfortunate incidents that happened around the Big Dig."
WBZ-TV's Jim Armstrong reports.
But Mullan also told WBZ-TV he is aware the MBTA board's decision to give Parsons Brinkerhoff the job might annoy some people, he responded, "Oh, absolutely. I spent a big part of my career working on the [Big Dig] project. I'm fully aware of the emotions and the tragedy that happened."
Thursday morning, Governor Deval Patrick expressed tentative approval.
"When [Attorney General Martha Coakley] made the settlement, she left open the possibility that they could compete for other work. They have competed for other work, and they will be closely supervised."
When WBZ asked if he, personally, was comfortable with the decision, the governor added: "I'm going to defer to the judgment of the [MBTA] board. They are very aware of my own frustration with Parsons Brinckerhoff, my own disappointment in their performance, and of course they know the whole commonwealth is watching."
The new locomotives are expected to arrive in late 2012 and early 2013.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Carl Stevens and WBZ-TV's Jim Armstrong contributed to this report.
