Is it important to have qualified people doing track work and inspections?

...And Jim K agreed to cap the federal contribution to the Big Dig so that the Feds would stop their oversight of the project!!! Sort of like how the MBTA this year did everything to not be put under federal receivership for safety violations.

This re-org seems well timed: https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/09/22/mb ... tructuring

MBTA General Manager and CEO Phil Eng announced top-level staffing changes and a department restructuring in an email to agency staff on Friday.

In the letter, Eng said he has used his first several months as general manager to "assess how to better position" the MBTA through department changes and permanent appointments.

...

Eng appointed Ryan Coholan, former chief railroad officer of the MBTA, as the new chief operating officer of the agency. Coholan will take over for Acting Chief Operating Officer Erik Stoothoff, who will return to his previous role as deputy chief engineer.

Eng also appointed Tim Lesniak as the transit system's chief safety officer, filling a role held by Ron Ester until he resigned in August. No reason for Ester's resignation was given.

...

The T also plans to create executive director roles for the commuter rail, water transportation, rail, bus and paratransit services, according to the email. Eng wrote that the new directors will be responsible for "all aspects of the safety, service, quality, and reliability of their service." The letter did not provide a timeline for these positions.