MTA to Hire Consultant for Review of Tunnel Repair Plan: WSJ

(Bloomberg) -- The New York MTA will hire an independent consulting firm to review significant concerns over the planned L-train tunnel repair, including silica dust health risks, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing an interview with Acting Chairman Fernando Ferrer.

• In a separate emailed statement, the MTA said it will hold an emergency board meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 15, to be briefed on matters related to the reconstruction project as well as to discuss the concept of hiring a new consultant reporting directly to the chairman to oversee operation, oversight and precautions
• Ferrer told the Journal on Saturday evening that the new construction method, which will produce silica dust, must be reviewed for safety reasons
• MTA Chief Andy Byford recently announced a search for an independent consultant, and will likely call this off following Ferrer hiring one, the article says

To contact the reporter on this story: Nick Lichtenberg in New York at nlichtenberg@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Chakradhar Adusumilli at cadusumilli@bloomberg.net, Virginia Van Natta

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