Closing lane for repairs leads to traffic snarls

By Steve LeBlanc, Associated Press, 5/14/2003

A tarp covers a section of the Central Artery tunnel damaged by a jackknifed truck Wednesday morning. (Globe Staff Photo / George Rizer) The right lane of the tunnel was closed all day, causing lengthy backups on the Southeast Expressway approaching downtown. (Globe Staff Photo / Janet Knott)  TRAFFIC UPDATES Southeast Expressway Central Artery More traffic  REALVIDEO | NECN.com | Help with video | Crash creates traffic nightmare Video clips require RealPlayer and Windows 98 or higher.

BOSTON -- A tractor-trailer rig jackknifed inside the new I-93 northbound tunnel early Wednesday morning, smashing into both sides of the underground highway and blocking all four lanes of traffic for several hours.

The overloaded produce truck crashed into the western wall in one of the deepest parts of the tunnel, about 120 feet below South Station, rode up on a jersey barrier, slid across all lanes and smashed into the eastern wall causing extensive damage to the tunnel's panels, officials said.

The tunnel's supports were undamaged. All but one lane of traffic reopened about two-and-a-half hours later.

The accident was the most serious in the new tunnel since it was opened to traffic in March.

State police blamed the accident on excessive speed. Officials at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, which operates the tunnel, said the truck was traveling at about 70 miles an hour in a zone marked for 45 miles an hour.

The driver of the truck, identified as Jean Caesar Machado, 27, of Chelsea, has been charged with speeding and operating without a license. He was taken from the scene of the accident to Massachusetts General Hospital where he was treated and released.

There were no other injuries reported.

The truck was overloaded with produce when the accident occurred, according to state police. The tractor is registered to Lilly Transportation of Needham. The trailer is registered to J.D.S. Refrigerated H.S., of Everett, police said. Lilly Transportation officials did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment Wednesdsay.

Investigators from the State Police Accident Reconstruction team were on the scene of the accident Wednesday.

The accident forced traffic from the south to be diverted off onto Massachusetts Avenue and traffic on the Turnpike was forced to use the Chinatown/Atlantic Avenue exit, causing major back-ups even before the traditional start of the morning rush hour.

Those traffic headaches could linger throughout the rest of the day, according to Turnpike spokesman Sean O'Neill. He said one lane of traffic could be blocked for up to 24 hours as police continue their investigation.

"We're asking commuters to stagger their evening commute," O'Neill said.

O'Neill said Turnpike officials have not yet determined how much it will cost to repair the damage. He said the Turnpike will seek payment from the trucker's insurance company.

The $14.6 billion Big Dig will bury Interstate-93 under downtown Boston. The final major piece of the project, the opening of the southbound lanes, is scheduled for early next year.