As more concerns rise about the Big Dig bolts, the Green Line goes on the fritz, and the fact that our tunnels don't have sprinklers, Amtrak is adding its own small voice to the mix.

Amtrak must replace railroad ties made of concrete that is starting to crack. The company says that replacing the ties will cost "tens of millions of dollars."

Here's the insulting part--Amtrak put the ties in during the 1990s. They should have lasted 50 years, but they're already busted. Did no one think to check the quality of the concrete?

The company that made the ties, Rocla, has been sued for railroad-tie problems before. Nothing like transportation deja vu.

Image of an old train from Wikipedia/public domain.