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 Bostons $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 suit seeks return of up to $140 million in profits and $6 million in bonuses paid to the joint venture of Bechtel Corp. and Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and Douglas Inc. They are, respectively, subsidiaries of Bechtel Group Inc., San Francisco, and Parsons Brinckherhoff Inc., New York City.