Loose Manhole Cover Prompts Concerns in Saugus, Massachusetts

Months after a teacher was killed by a flying manhole cover on a Massachusetts highway, there is renewed concern after another was discovered to be loose.

Early Wednesday morning, a driver spotted the loose cover on Route 1 in Saugus and called police.

A state subcontractor working on the section of road has been suspended by state officials.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation wants a full report from Tango Construction to try to figure out what happened.

"MassDOT believes this cover may have loosened during work associated with a repaving project," the department told necn in a statement.

"I guess I'm too trusting because I don't really think a lot about it," said Lori Rezendes, a mother in town. "But I do have three precious kids in cargo, so I'm hoping that they do take care of these things more often than it seems they have lately."

It was just over two months ago when Caitlin Clavette was killed when a manhole cover on I-93 in Boston became dislodged and slammed into her windshield.

In the wake of the tragic accident, state officials inspected hundreds of manhole covers in the area.

Authorities say they immediately responded to the Saugus location Wednesday morning and welded the cover to the frame.

Wednesday night, the state says, "MassDOT is inspecting other manhole cover sites in construction zones on Route 1 to ensure the covers are properly seated."

Tango Construction of Fitchburg declined to talk about the incident.

Contact Us