MassDOT officials remove 7 Tobin lights

BOSTON (WHDH) -- Massachusetts Department of Transportation workers removed seven additional lights from the Tobin Bridge Friday because of corrosion concerns.

Transportation Department Secretary Richard Davey said he wasn’t happy after hearing about the light fixture that fell from a ramp leading to the bridge on Thursday.

Officials said the light fixture fell from the ceiling of the City Square Tunnel in Charlestown to its lower deck around noon.

Officials said it didn’t cause any injuries. They said a state trooper noticed the fallen light fixture. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation addressed the media regarding the light fixture Thursday evening. They said the 20 to 21-year-old light fixture, weighing 10 to 15 pounds, fell due to age and corrosion.

An overnight inspection resulted in crews removing seven more lights -- three with signs of corrosion and four needing new bulbs.

Officials are planning to replace all the lights and the electrical system on the ramp.

Davey said motorists who use the Tobin Bridge shouldn’t worry.

“I just want to reassure the public that this bridge is safe. That this part of our system is safe and obviously I was not happy to hear about this when it came to my attention [Thursday] when the light had fallen, but at the same time our top priority at the DOT is to ensure the safety of our entire transportation system in our network and we will continue to do that,” said Davey.

Mayor Thomas Menino weighed in on the situation saying, "On the Tobin Bridge where the light fixtures have fallen, I think we're always concerned about that."

Work on replacing the lights and electrical system could take up to a year.