Today, State Transportation Secretary Lynn Peterson called for a thorough review of three mega transportation projects commissioned across the state—including Seattle’s very own deep-bore tunnel project—to ensure the projects meet their deadlines and billion-dollar price points.
Who’s heading those reviews, you ask? Ron Paananen, the former director of the deep-bore tunnel project. (Soon after securing the tunnel deal, Paananen retired to the private sector and left the state.)
“Ron’s experience managing large-scale projects and his reputation across the state and country is second to none,” gushes Secretary Peterson over here.
Perhaps Paananen is a deep-bore tunnel savant or perhaps this is a case of cronyism. Regardless, I wouldn’t think that the former director of a highly contentious project would be the best person to deliver a thorough, objective review of his own project.
On the bright side, if things go horribly, horribly wrong with the project, Paananen’s new position should put him within easy reach of a pitchfork.
Onwards to the future!
