From: johnl@iecc.com   
      
   >> I'm a bit surprised they're still using ties on ballast inside   
   >> such important and high-volume tunnels; direct fixation has been   
   >> the norm for decades, and from the sound of it, they wouldn't have   
   >> had these problems.   
      
   I expect it's the same ballast that they installed in 1910, with the   
   rails and ties replaced as needed.  Have any of the tunnels been   
   closed for more than a few overnight hours since they were opened?  I   
   don't think so.   
      
   My reading of the report was the the ballast is still sound, but it is   
   no so badly contaminated with salt that it all has to be removed.  If   
   they're going to do that, they might as well switch to direct fixation   
   for the replacement.   
      
   I wonder if they considered the possibility of replacing the ballast,   
   ties, and rails in whatever increment they could do overnight or on a   
   weekend.   
      
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