Big Dig Light Manufacturers Replaced Baltimore Tunnel Lights

The manufacturer that told Massachusetts officials it no longer makes tunnel lights replaced light fixtures in the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel two years ago.

The maker of the corroding lights in the Big Dig tunnels, NuArt, was bought five years ago by another company, National Signal.

The new owners told officials at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation that they are no longer in the tunnel light business, raising the prospect that Massachusetts might have no recourse.

But two years go, National Signal did supply NuArt lighting components for the Baltimore tunnel.

A spokeswoman for National Signal confirms that the company did rehab the old lights.

A spokeswoman for the Maryland Transportation Authority says the 18-year-old lens assemblies needed replacement. The housing for the lights was reused, but the lenses, ballast, latches and lamp assemblies were replaced. The lighting components were supplied by NuArt.