You Can't Make This Stuff Up

I was going to write this morning, most sarcastically, about how I was expecting Matt Amorello to be issuing a statement today, assuring the public that everything's fine, and that these faulty anchor bolts were (to borrow a pet phrase of his) just "isolated incidents"...all 60 of them.

Well, it turns out I'm a day late and a dollar short.

He actually said it - yesterday.

I-90 Connector Tunnel Remains Closed

Wed Jul 12, 6:47 PM ET

The Interstate-90 connector tunnel remained closed Wednesday as officials located dozens of areas in the eastbound connector tunnel where questionable tieback systems may have been used.

[snip]

"We have approximately 60 locations on the eastbound side -- what we are going to identify as isolated locations," Massachusetts Turnpike Chairman Matt Amorello said.

Groundwater gushing in through a hole in the slurry wall? No need to be alarmed, people, this is merely an "isolated incident".

Three cars and an ambulance damaged by debris raining down from the tunnel ceiling? No need to be alarmed, people, this is merely an "isolated incident".

Hundreds more leaks detected along the I-93 portion of the tunnel? No need to be alarmed, people, these are still merely "isolated incidents".

So, let's see...

There are 16 ounces in a pound, four quarts in a gallon, 220 yards in a furlong, and four pecks in a bushel.

How many "isolated incidents" are there in a debacle?

UPDATE: Considerably more than 60, it would appear.

Inspectors have found problems with the anchor bolts in 60 different areas on the eastbound side.

In a news conference Thursday, Secretary of Transportation John Cogliano said it appears there are even more problem areas on the westbound side.

UPDATE: How does 230 sound?