BOSTON (AP) The state Transportation Department has launched review of handrails in some Big Dig tunnels that have been connected to the deaths of seven people, including a state trooper.

Transportation Secretary Jeffrey Mullan ordered the study following a story in The Boston Globe about the deaths of seven people who died after striking or getting entangled in the handrails after accidents.

The department said in a statement March 8 that the internal review would be conducted by engineers with expertise in safety, crash railing systems, and structural design. Their findings will be forward to Mullan by the end of the month.

The handrails, which line about 6 mi. (9.6 km) of tunnels, are on top of raised walkways and are designed to keep maintenance workers from falling into traffic.

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