Author: Date: 08/31/2000 Page: C18 Section: National/ForeignQ. We are experiencing a shortage of craftsmen in the building trades. How many carpenters, electricians, masons, and plumbers are employed in the Big Dig construction project?
G.E., Swampscott
A. For the past six months - current to mid-August - there have been approximately 3,200 craftspeople working to give us a brand new Boston, according to Sean O'Neill, spokesman for the Big Dig. On the Central Artery project there are 1,075 laborers, 810 heavy equipment operators, 400 carpenters, 350 iron workers, 275 pile drivers, 120 electricians, 90 truck drivers, and 80 miscellaneous craftsmen including, plumbers, pipe fitters, sheet metal workers, painters, tile setters, and water proofers, who put mats down under the concrete.