MBTA in a state of disrepair. (Holyoke: floor, winter, work)

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by Lampert

No sarcasm. It's embarrassing. There are train stations that are well over 100 years old. I understand this one was never built to last that long but....30 years? The asphalt shingles on my roof are guaranteed 50 years.

Gotcha. Yes, it definitely is. In MA, current engineering guidelines require these types of structures to have a service life of at least 75 years. I'm not sure whether or not these guidelines were in place in 1990, but either way, any infrastructure needs to be maintained in order to achieve its expected service life. Clearly that didn't happen here.

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by lrfox

Gotcha. Yes, it definitely is. In MA, current engineering guidelines require these types of structures to have a service life of at least 75 years. I'm not sure whether or not these guidelines were in place in 1990, but either way, any infrastructure needs to be maintained in order to achieve its expected service life. Clearly that didn't happen here.

If the MBTA had simply painted the steel structures once every 10 years, the original station would probably be in near pristine condition today.

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by AtkinsonDan

If the MBTA had simply painted the steel structures once every 10 years, the original station would probably be in near pristine condition today.

Yup

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by AtkinsonDan

If the MBTA had simply painted the steel structures once every 10 years, the original station would probably be in near pristine condition today.

Exactly. We're not talking extremely challenging stuff here. Regular painting to prevent it from rusting out and crumbling is probably the bulk of what it needed. They couldn't be bothered. So now we need a ~$65 million replacement.

[ben young]

The same Engineering and Construction companies will be hired ,since they have contacts and experience with station design.

[bostongymjunkie]

Depends on which companies bid.

[GeePee]

https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/04...-more-changes/
One out-of-state MBTA manager fired, four others warned: Maura Healey says to expect more changes

[bostongymjunkie]

And the Baker Administration couldn't have started doing this, why? She might be the first Dem in the Corner Office since Dukakis to actually roll up her sleeves and get things done, regardless of whether I necessarily agree with all her decisions or not. It's still early yet, though. This state hasn't seen any significant shakeups in state government since the Weld/Cellucci days.

[GeePee]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

And the Baker Administration couldn't have started doing this, why? She might be the first Dem in the Corner Office since Dukakis to actually roll up her sleeves and get things done, regardless of whether I necessarily agree with all her decisions or not. It's still early yet, though. This state hasn't seen any significant shakeups in state government since the Weld/Cellucci days.

Baker was a clown. He wouldn't touch the state police or the MBTA. He only did what was 'easy'

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by GeePee

Baker was a clown. He wouldn't touch the state police or the MBTA. He only did what was 'easy'

A lot of what he did was a caricature of "steady leadership." He wanted to come off as the posterchild for moderation. From the perspective of appearances, it was a welcome contradiction to the polarized party politics we've seen way too much of nationally. But by putting so much effort into always being moderate, he had some big misses. The MBTA and State Police were glaring examples. But for all of the credit he gets for his work in Health and Human Services, I think the Holyoke Soldiers Home disaster (particularly the fact that leadership there were unqualified nepotism appointees) stands alone as the biggest black mark against him.