In a move that construction-machinery dealers are hailing as a victory, Caterpillar Inc. has dropped a federal lawsuit seeking to ban nonauthorized dealers from importing foreign-made, used Cat excavators into North America. Three remaining defendants, Hoss Equipment Co., Worldwide Machinery Inc. and World Tractor and Equipment Co., settled with the Peoria, Ill.-based manufacturer this past summer, one day before it was scheduled to go to trial, sources confirm. Under terms of the settlement, dealers must now address critical safety features such as operation manuals and seat belts within 45 days after importation. Dealers say they have already been doing so.
A beleaguered epoxy supplier has called on the National Transportation Safety Board to correct several adverse findings regarding the July 10, 2006 Interstate 90 tunnel plenum collapse that killed a 38–year–old local woman. NTSB found at a public hearing exactly one year later that the use of fast–set epoxy proven unable to support sustained loads caused the anchor bolts to creep out. NTSB criticized epoxy supplier Powers Fasteners, Inc., Brewster, N.Y., because it "failed to provide the Central Artery/Tunnel project with sufficiently complete, accurate and detailed information about the suitability of the company's fast–set epoxy for sustaining long–term tensile loads."
PODCAST Jack Lemley: Big Dig Report Reaction The National Transportation Safety Board found on July 10 that improper epoxy use, poor or misleading product information and lack of follow-up inspections were the critical factors that led to a fatal Interstate 90 tunnel plenum collapse in Boston last year. The NTSB board unanimously adopted the 171-page report, which includes 20 findings and 20 safety recommendations. In a five-hour meeting, held one year to the day after the collapse, the board determined that the pullout failure of twenty 8-in.-long threaded stainless-steel epoxied bolt anchors precipitated the collapse. Ten precast concrete panels and
BIG DIG The Central Artery/Tunnel project will change the way Boston works, but it cost $14.6-billion. (Photo courtesy of bigdig.com) The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority filed suit March 16 against the joint venture of Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff seeking damages of up to $146 million in connection with its role as project consultant on Boston’s $14.6-billion Central Artery/Tunnel project. At particular issue is the escalation in project costs, which went from $2.6 billion in 1982 to the final tally of $14.6 billion. B/PB claims that the charges are without merit. Filed in Suffolk County Superior Court, the civil
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