Oversight Committee To Investigate The Big Dig.

Boston, MA—Senator Dianne Wilkerson (D-Boston) was selected by Senate President Thomas F. Birmingham to sit on a Special Joint Oversight Committee on the Big Dig. The hearing took place Wednesday, March 8, 2000 at 10:00am in Gardner Auditorium. The Committee invited a number of administration officials, project staff and others to testify.

There were some concerns regarding the accuracy of the estimated 1.4 billion dollar cost over run. Although Legislation has been filed to make up the deficit, the committee was formed to determine what happened and to investigate whether the overrun will affect other state road and bridge programs.

"The estimated cost over run for the Big Dig jeopardizes the implementation of the local road projects across the Commonwealth," stated Senator Wilkerson, Senate Chair of State Administration. "Boston is one of many cities and towns who are anxiously awaiting funds to repair or begin construction on local road and bridge projects to improve traffic circulation. It is my charge to ensure that those needs are not neglected."

Senate President Birmingham added, "we must exercise our legislative prerogative, on behalf of our constituents, to secure better information about the extent of Big Dig cost overruns. This is a vital part of our effort to develop a financing plan that addresses both the Central Artery budget and our obligation to fund road and bridges projects throughout the Commonwealth."

"A commitment was made to obligate $400 million annually to non Big Dig projects, but the Administration has not shown an interest in meeting that expectation," noted Wilkerson. "The General Court has authorized funds that the Governor has chosen not to. We made a commitment that, despite the massive spending on the Big Dig, our area’s priorities would not be ignored or denied. Now we’re seeing that without aggressive intervention on the issue, that is exactly what will happen."

During the hearing, Senator Wilkerson was troubled by the Secretary of Transportation submission of plans regarding a proposed road project in her district. Wilkerson shattered the validity of the plan by her stern comment directed to Secretary Kevin Sullivan. She stated, "The Administration submitted to this Committee plans reporting that 12 million will be spent to repair Washington Street in Roxbury. This is the same 12 million approved 10 years ago. Its inclusion raises serious questions about the reliability of this document."

Senate colleagues joining Senator Wilkerson on the committee are: Senator Mark Montigny, Chair of the Senate Committee Ways and Means, Senator Robert Havern, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation, Senator Cheryl Jacques, Senate Chair of Senate Post Audit and Oversight Committee, and Senator Henri Rauschenbach, the ranking minority member of the Senate Committee of Ways and means. House members of the committee are: Representative Paul Haley, Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Representative Joseph Sullivan, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation, Representative Patricia Walrath, House Chair of the Committee on Long Term Debt, Representative Michael Cahill, House Chair on the Committee on Human Services and Elderly Affairs, and Representative Bradley Jones, Minority Whip. Senator Havern and Representative Sullivan will serve as Chairmen of the Committee.

Senator Wilkerson and members of the committee will reconvene the hearing to hear to more testimony surrounding the cost overrun of the Big Dig next Monday, March 13, 2000 at 1:00pm in Room B-1, State House.

State Senator Dianne Wilkerson is currently serving her fourth term in the Massachusetts State Senate. She represents the Second Suffolk District, the most diverse senatorial district in Massachusetts. Wilkerson represents parts of neighborhoods of Mattapan, Hyde Park, Dorchester, Roxbury, South End, Jamaica Plain, Back Bay and the Fenway.