MTA CEO: blasting accident was 'unacceptable' - KMSP-TV

MTA CEO: blasting accident was 'unacceptable'

On one hand, MTA CEO Joe Jhota said what happened was unacceptable but on the other hand, he defended the contractor doing the blasting at the Second Avenue subway construction site. He said he said he still has confidence in its work.

Lhota said the contractor has been blasting for four years. But she said the error was unacceptable and he needs to be satisfied that it won't happen again.

Crews were digging an escalator shaft about 40 feet underground when the accident happened. Officials said it appears that dynamite was improperly placed, causing the blast to blow out several 1,800-pound steel plates meant to contain it. The blast rained dust and debris, such as large rocks and concrete slabs, on 72nd Street and Second Avenue. Several businesses had damage, including blown-out windows. But, incredibly, no one was hurt.

While several contractors have been doing work for the MTA, a joint venture called Schiavone, J.F. Shea and Kiewit, or SSK, has been doing the blasting.

There are questions about SSK's work history, including violations on other projects, and one on the Second Avenue subway construction in March having to do with air quality issues.

Despite this, Lhota maintained that he has confidence in the company's work but that blasting will not begin again until he is satisfied everything is safe.

The MTA said SSK will provide a report on its safety procedures and how they will be updated in light of this accident.

A spokesperson for SSK said recently it puts its highest priority on the well-being of everybody in the community.