The Big Dig project was realised in Boston in 2003. The construction work took several years. Instead of a multi-lane road in the centre of Boston, the huge undertaking created a huge park. The project is still one of the largest road projects in US history.
For years, we have been showing examples of changes to city centres that have resulted in more green space and attractive recreational and leisure areas for pedestrians. The problem of a congested city centre was recognised in Boston as early as the 1980s. Several motorways run through the city. Increasing car traffic and traffic jams began to disturb the residents.
Previously, multi-lane roads running through the city centre had been a characteristic feature of Boston’s landscape. As early as 1930, the city council recommended that the highway be raised so that city traffic would run under an overpass to improve traffic flow in Boston. The project presented at the time was quickly implemented. By the 1950s, however, the flyover had already started to become blocked.
Over the years, the problem grew. In 1959, 75,000 cars a day traversed the central stretch of road. By the 1990s, there were already 190,000 such cars every day. Residents wanted radical changes. In the 1990s, Boston mayor Thomas Menino even called the congested flyover a “green monster” (because of the dark green colour of the structural elements).
The city centre BEFORE the big redevelopment:
Design work on the Big Dig began in 1982, with the aim of tucking the highways running through the city centre underground. As a result, a 5.6 km long tunnel, new bridges and turnouts were built. The work was carried out in such a way as to allow residents to move around and to disturb the city as little as possible, and was therefore divided into phases until 2007. At that time, the project was formally completed, but residents were already able to use individual parts of the new infrastructure.
A large linear park has been built over the tunnel, connecting several neighbourhoods in the city. The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Park consists of themed gardens, boardwalks and plazas. Urban furniture has been placed on the surface and fountains have been built. Cultural events are often held in the park and art is presented. The place is vibrant and attracts residents of nearby buildings.
The city centre AFTER the redevelopment:
The project cost as much as $15 billion to complete. This is three times more than originally estimated. Controversy arose over delays of several years, design flaws and the need for many revisions. Today, however, no one regrets the changes.
source: Greenway Conservancy
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