Weaker Than Steel

With everything that's gone on with the Big Dig since the project started it isn't surprising that yet another delay was announced by the Turnpike Authority in reopening connector tunnels. They announced that because of engineering flaws in steel brackets that hold up concrete panels aren't actually strong enough to keep them up. Due skepticism was given when it was discovered that the glue holding the bolts in place wasn't doing the trick – but weak steel, even more outrageous than previously imagined.

Travelers coming from Logan through the westbound Ted Williams Tunnel will have to continue using the workaround to get onto 93 North as the connecting ramp will stay closed until at least after Labor Day. Groans and commuter headaches ensue. Media outfits have noted that this could be a big problem for Boston as overall traffic increases as the Hub's many universities are repopulated with students for the fall semester. The Boston schools have augmented their planned number of busses to accommodate for the traffic due to the closure and the city has rescheduled some road maintenance projects in order to alleviate some congestion. The closure of the connectors and tunnels since the July casualty due to falling ceiling panels has also been blamed for decreased usage of MassPort's Logan Airport. Sure, this might have something to do with it – but it could also be carelessness of travelers typing "Boston" into Travelocity and ending up with a flight out of Manchester-Boston Regional. Speaking of which, anyone want to give us a ride to Manchester so we can make our flight?