Filthy Tunnels (Boston: taxi, maintenance, budget)

[porterhouse]

Why are Boston’s tunnels and roadways kept in such disgusting and poor shape? The central artery and other tunnels are filthy with grime and look as if they are 50++ years old.

Forgetting about international cities for a second (Bostonians do fancy the city to be world class), I was traveling in the Brooklyn-Battery tunnel on the way to JFK the other day and was taken with how sparkling clean it was. The Mid Town tunnel as always in similar condition. Have some pride Mass DOT.

[massnative71]

This state is truly an embarrassment when it comes to the maintenance of its infrastructure. I always say that things like roadways and tunnels provide the best lens of how a state is managed. It's pretty scary when even Rhode Island is looking better than us these days. Whoever is to blame, I can tell you one thing...the Mass. voter will not take any responsibility whatsoever. Here come the excuses...




(here come the crickets)

[bostonguy1960]

When I drove a taxi and Uber in the years before the pandemic, I'd occasionally have to go around trucks cleaning the tunnel walls with those rotating brushes on the side of the vehicle. So, believe it or not, they have been purchased and do exist.

Can't recall how often I'd see it, though. I was a night driver, so it was always or usually overnights when I saw it.

Maybe it was suspended in the pandemic or for budget reasons? Yes, the walls looked too dirty at times or all the time when I last drove regularly, even with whatever cleaning was ever done.

It would be a good story for the Herald to cover!

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by bostonguy1960

When I drove a taxi and Uber in the years before the pandemic, I'd occasionally have to go around trucks cleaning the tunnel walls with those rotating brushes on the side of the vehicle. So, believe it or not, they have been purchased and do exist.

Can't recall how often I'd see it, though. I was a night driver, so it was always or usually overnights when I saw it.

Maybe it was suspended in the pandemic or for budget reasons? Yes, the walls looked too dirty at times or all the time when I last drove regularly, even with whatever cleaning was ever done.

It would be a good story for the Herald to cover!

First they need to make sure the walls and ceilings stay up. After that, yeah, a good cleaning is in order.

[porterhouse]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

First they need to make sure the walls and ceilings stay up. After that, yeah, a good cleaning is in order.

You don’t think the exposed and rusted rebar adds to the aesthetic?

[WestieWhitie]

Originally Posted by porterhouse

Why are Boston’s tunnels and roadways kept in such disgusting and poor shape? The central artery and other tunnels are filthy with grime and look as if they are 50++ years old.

Forgetting about international cities for a second (Bostonians do fancy the city to be world class), I was traveling in the Brooklyn-Battery tunnel on the way to JFK the other day and was taken with how sparkling clean it was. The Mid Town tunnel as always in similar condition. Have some pride Mass DOT.

You can’t do much maintenance when all of the money goes to 160 hour self-approved weekly timecards and pensions resulting from the said timecards.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by WestieWhitie

You can’t do much maintenance when all of the money goes to 160 hour self-approved weekly timecards and pensions resulting from the said timecards.

Uh, State employees have at least two levels of approval (beyond the employee) when they do their time sheets. Any overtime or comp time has additional paperwork and approvals.

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by porterhouse

You don’t think the exposed and rusted rebar adds to the aesthetic?

I think Mass Highway refers to it as patina.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

First they need to make sure the walls and ceilings stay up. After that, yeah, a good cleaning is in order.

The dirt and grime maybe the only thing keeping these tunnels from collapsing.

[htfdcolt]

Agree. The Callahan and the Sumner, which are often the first & last impressions visitors have of our city, are disgraceful. I'd settle for smooth pavement, and clear markings, let alone removal of the grime & dirt. The exit lane to Logan after you emerge from the Callahan will rattle your suspension!