Big Dig contractors to pay $458.2M

Companies that designed and managed the Big Dig will have to pay $458.2 million to settle a state lawsuit over a fatal collapse and to cover leaks and design flaws, state and federal officials announced on Jan. 23.

Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff, the consortium that oversaw the project’s construction and design, will pay $407 million, U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan said during a press conference. Twenty-four smaller companies will pay about $51 million collectively.

"Massachusetts Highway and the citizens of Massachusetts entrusted Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff to act as their eyes and ears on the Central Artery Project," Sullivan told the Boston Globe. "They grossly failed to meet their obligations and responsibilities to the citizens of Massachusetts and the United States."

The settlement will exempt the company from criminal charges in the I-90 connector tunnel collapse that killed one person.

About $415 million of the settlement will be put into a trust fund that will be used to pay for future costs of the Big Dig. Authorities will be able to seek additional damages only if a future accident causes more than $50 million in damage.