MA Transport Secretary Responds

In its report, the National Transportation Safety Board specifically criticizes the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority for its part in the ceiling collapse that killed Milena del Valle.

According to the NTSB, the state agency "contributed to the accident by failing to implement a timely tunnel inspection program that would likely have revealed the ongoing anchor creep in time to correct the deficiencies before an accident occurred."

The Turnpike Authority is part of the Massachusetts Highway Department, which operates under the state's Executive Office of Transportation and Construction. The EOT's Secretary Bernard Cohen speaks with WBUR's Bob Oakes about the NTSB report.

The audio for this story will be available on WBUR's web site after 10 a.m. on Wednesday.