NTL Record

Title Economic Development and Highway Right-Sizing: Elevated Freeway to Tunnel Right-Sizing
Record ID 79382
Corporate Creator United States. Federal Highway Administration
Publisher United States. Federal Highway Administration
Publication Date 20190901
Language English
Abstract The Boston Central Artery/Tunnel Project, also known as the “Big Dig,” replaced the Interstate 93 viaduct in downtown Boston with a higher-capacity tunnel. On the surface, the project included a 1.5-mile-long park that is flanked by boulevards. The tunnel was created in response to traffic congestion and an inner city revitalization plan that sought to decrease traffic on surface roads in order to create recreational and open space. In addition, removing the elevated highway and rebuilding it as a tunnel would remove a barrier between Boston’s down- town and the North End, a neighborhood cut off from the rest of the city by the highway. City and State leaders saw the Big Dig as a critical step in improving the crawling downtown traffic, which then enabled both public and private investment in the creation of a vibrant and multimodal downtown with diverse retail and commercial opportunities and ample pedestrian and event space for residents and visitors alike.
Rosap ID dot:54195
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/54195
TRT Terms Economic development; Elevated structures; Freeways; Tunnels; Highway facilities
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Resource type Brief
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/79000/79300/79382/el_tunnel.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository