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Fort Point Channel tunnel

Coordinates: 42°20′49″N 71°03′17″W / 42.3470°N 71.0547°W / 42.3470; -71.0547
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Fort Point Channel Tunnel
Overview
LocationBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Coordinates42°20′49″N 71°03′17″W / 42.3470°N 71.0547°W / 42.3470; -71.0547
StatusOpen
Route I-90 / Mass Pike
CrossesFort Point Channel
Operation
OwnerCommonwealth of Massachusetts
OperatorMassachusetts Department of Transportation
TrafficAutomotive
Technical
No. of lanes4
Operating speed45 mph (72 km/h)

The Fort Point Channel Tunnel is a tunnel in Boston, Massachusetts. It carries the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90) underneath the Fort Point Channel and South Boston streets.

History

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The tunnel was built during 1991–1994 as part of the Big Dig.[1][2] It was built using a casting basin.

In July 2006, a ceiling tile and associated debris weighing 26 short tons (52,000 lb; 24,000 kg) collapsed, causing the death of a passenger in a vehicle in the tunnel and severe injury to the driver.[3] This incident and the resulting inspections and repairs delayed the Big Dig construction project by a year.

References

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  1. ^ Boston.com Staff. "The Massachusetts Turnpike extension". boston.com. The New York Times. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  2. ^ "Tunnels & Bridges". massDOT. Archived from the original on June 22, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  3. ^ "Why Did It Fail?" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 19, 2014. Retrieved April 16, 2014.