North Washington St Bridge Steel Cracking/Faulty (Department of Transportation)

Dear Walter Hope, Your public records request has been entered and given the case number R000097-021922 for tracking purposes. To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

It has been reported that the North Washington St Bridge Replacement steel is cracking. It has not been reported as to why the steel is cracking, nor how the faulty steel/welds were found, nor has it been reported as to how the steel that is already been placed on the project will be repaired/retrofitted or replaced. Please provide any/all documentation and communications between the City of Boston, MassDOT, CF White and the Steel Fabricator regarding this concerning public safety issue.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Walter Hope

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/ ALERT: Please be advised that at the current time, there may be a delay in the processing and fulfillment of your request– this includes the timely receipt of requests, search/compilation of responsive records, and responses to public records requests. Thank you for your anticipated understanding and cooperation as we work through these issues. You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you'll receive an email when your request has been completed. Click Here to View Your Request Thank you for using the MBTA’s Public Records Center. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

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February 22, 2022
Walter Hope MuckRock News DEPT MR 124996 Somerville, MA 02144-2516
Re: Public Records Request for “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

It has been reported that the North Washington St Bridge Replacement steel is cracking. It has not been reported as to why the steel is cracking, nor how the faulty steel/welds were found, nor has it been reported as to how the steel that is already been placed on the project will be repaired/retrofitted or replaced. Please provide any/all documentation and communications between the City of Boston, MassDOT, CF White and the Steel Fabricator regarding this concerning public safety issue.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Walter Hope

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/ Our Case No.: R000097-021922
Dear Mr. Hope,
The MBTA is in receipt of your request for public records dated February 19, 2022 regarding the above-referenced matter; this request was received by our Records Access Officer on February 19, 2022.
Upon inquiry, I am advised that the MBTA does not have possession, custody or control of the requested records. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, however, may be the correct agency for this request; we have forwarded this request to them for a response. You should expect a confirmation from their office in the next several business days.
Accordingly, we are closing our file.
Sincerely, Julie Ciollo
Assistant General Counsel/
Records Access Officer

Dear Mr. Hope,

Your public records request has been received by our Records Access Officer and given the case number P000302-022222 for tracking purposes. : ALERT Please be advised that at the current time , there may be a delay in the processing and fulfillment of your request– this includes he timely receipt of requests, search/compilation of responsive records, and responses to public records requests . Thank you for your anticipated understanding and cooperation as we work through these issues. It has been reported that the North Washington St Bridge Replacement steel is cracking. It has not been reported as to why the steel is cracking, nor how the faulty steel/welds were found, nor has it been reported as to how the steel that is already been placed on the project will be repaired/retrofitted or replaced. Please provide any/all documentation and communications between the City of Boston, MassDOT, CF White and the Steel Fabricator regarding this concerning public safety issue.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below, and will receive an email when your request has been completed, or requires any clarification and/or modification.
Thank you for using the Massachusetts Department of Transportation's Public Records Request Center.

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March 18, 2022
Walter Hope
MuckRock News DEPT MR 124996
Somerville, MA 02144-2516
Re: Public Records Request: “It has been reported that the North Washington St Bridge Replacement steel is cracking. It has not been reported as to why the steel is cracking, nor how the faulty steel/welds were found, nor has it been reported as to how the steel that is already been placed on the project will be repaired/retrofitted or replaced. Please provide any/all documentation and communications between the City of Boston, MassDOT, CF White and the Steel Fabricator regarding this concerning public safety issue.” Our Reference No.: P000302-022222
Dear Mr. Hope,
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (“MassDOT”) is in receipt of your request for public records dated February 22, 2022 regarding the above-referenced matter.
Please be advised that we are completing the review of the responsive records for any applicable exemptions under the public records law, and expect to have a response to you by the early part of next week; thank you for your patience.
If you need additional information, or there is any other way we can assist you, please respond through the portal or contact our general public records line at (857) 368-8760. Please use our Reference No.: P000302-022222.
Sincerely,
William J. Doyle, Esq.
Records Access Officer
Office of the General Counsel

Please note that MassDOT looks forward to providing you the information you seek under the public records law.

You may submit your public records requests in several ways:

By Online Portal:
Please visit the online portal<https://massachusettsdot.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/_rs/supporthome.aspx?lp=2&COID=64DA2B6806> and follow the directions. This new web portal will allow you to make requests, receive notifications, check the status and receive your records all from within a dedicated system. Like most web-based systems, you will initially have to create a user name and password, but that will only be a one-time requirement.

By Fax:
(857) 368-0615

By U.S. Mail, or In-Person:
Public Records Requests
MassDOT Office of the General Counsel
10 Park Plaza, Suite 3510
Boston, MA 02116

By Email:
If you would prefer to make your request by standard email, you may reply to this email with your request.

We look forward to assisting you with your public records request.