Report: $13.9M duct system in Big Dig tunnels goes unused

Big Dig administrator says ducts could be used for other purposes.

The Associated Press

5/19/2008

BOSTON — Expensive conduits installed in Big Dig tunnels to facilitate cell phone service have so far gone unused.

That's according to The Boston Globe, which reported Monday that cell phone service providers were bypassing the built-in compartments and instead taking the cheaper route of running cable on metal brackets along the walls of the tunnels.

The duct system was reportedly valued at $13.9 million at one time by the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.

Turnpike spokesman Mac Daniel says the unused conduits are another example of poor oversight by previous Big Dig administrators. But Daniel says the ducts are not necessarily a waste of money because they could serve other purposes in the future.