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MassDOT doesn't find any issues during manhole, storm grate inspection

MassDOT crews inspected nearly 1,000 storm grates, manholes and electrical panels along I-93 in Boston metro and the tunnels Friday, but found nothing to indicate a threat to public safety.

BOSTON — The inspection followed after a freak accident Friday where a manhole cover became dislodged and flew into the air, hitting a woman's windshield on I-93 south. The driver, Caitlin Clavette, died.

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The inspections began around 1:30 p.m. Friday and continued overnight until 11:30 a.m. Saturday. MassDOT said that nothing found indicated a threat or raised an alarms. Out of the 919 structures inspected, the crews performed "cautionary maintenance" at 65 sites.

Inspection including driving over the covers and observing if there was any give or shift. If there was any movement whatsoever, crews welded the covers.

What caused the cover Friday to become dislodged near the exit of the O’Neill tunnel is still ongoing. The cover involved was set over a storm drainage system opening and was last inspected June 12, 2014. At the time of inspection, that cover and others were all deemed to be in "very good condition." 

MassDOT does not plan to broaden or expand the investigation to roadway hardware outside the Boston area at this time. Inspections of hardware in the tunnel system occurs every two years, following the guidelines of the Federal Highway Administration.

Cox Media Group

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