Big Dig Project Assignment Report Analysis

Running head: PROJECT BIG DIG
PROJECT BIG DIG
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

PROJECT BIG DIG1
“I like this project and I find it very successful” why?
Being an urban designer, I like the Central Artery or the Tunnel Project. It is
popularly recognized as the “Big Dig”. The most fascinating thing I found in this project is
that the intent of this plan was to integrate diversified public art into the infrastructure of
highway that embraces the walls reflecting the art work, and even in lighting as well as
fences (Gehl and Birgitte). The art work is also incorporated in the pedestrian environment,
that includes bridges, park containing landscape elements and walkways (Tajima). It reveals
the support and respect towards the organization of professional and public arts. Apart for
this, the project did improve lot of landscapes that includes the Lynch Family Skate Park,
Charles River Basin and many more. The aesthetic value of the city of Boston is what
facilitated by the framework of Big Dig (National Research Council). The project of Big Dig
has provided the city with parks and open space. It enabled space of around 15 acres. The city
now has become more appealing that before, and the fact that the environment brings positive
vibe (Tajima). Furthermore, the form of Big Dig is identified by another plan that requires
immense motivation. The ultimate form of Big Dig was the abandonment of the
Massachusetts Department of Public Works’ intended expressway system that right around
and through the city of Boston.
How does it started and who invent the project?
The project “Central Artery, popularly known as the Big Dig. Officially the work
begins in the year 1982, on Final Environment Impact Statement (FEIS) (Tajima). While
planning for the Central Artery, the experts did not expect the challenges that they faced
while executing the plan. However, the project was approved with federal funding by the
Congress, in the year 1987. The execution of the plan started in September 1991 on a bypass
road, which ran through South Boston (National Research Council). By the year, 1999, the
construction appeared to be 50 % complete. And following the New Broadway Ridge and

PROJECT BIG DIG2
Leverett Circle Connector Bridge opens. The construction or the project finally concluded on
31st December, 2007 .
What is the project?
The project of Big Dig in Boston, US is an immense plan based on the road
infrastructure in order to improve the traffic flow in Boston as the city used to go through
chronic congestion on streets. It improved the road and effectively decorated the city with
necessary installations. The Big dig through its plans, proved to hold one of the most
technically challenging infrastructure improvements and advancements. The Big Dig project
involves revised route of the Central Artery of Interstate 98 that runs through a tunnel named,
Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. Tunnel, which is of 2.4 km in the city (National Research Council).
The “Big Dig” project involves the construction of the Rose Kennedy Greenway,
the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge Ted Williams Tunnel (National
Research Council). The project is designed with a predominant motive of helping people by
providing protection and improvements in the local environment (Peterson).
What are the issues that happened?
Though the project involves successful plans, yet there are various issues that has
impacted lot of people’s lives. For instance, a motorist was killed due to a mishap during the
construction of the structures which were part of the project plan (National Research
Council). In the year 2006, a woman motorcyclist died after four concrete slabs fell from the
tunnel’s ceiling. It is reported that the project estimates to cost around $22 billion that
includes the interests as well as areemets and contracts. The project is involved in number of
cases that are associated with deaths, serious mismanagement, and several kind of design
issues (Peterson). while the construction, there were major issues of traffic and has been
recognized to be the world class congested region. The highways remained congested almost
throughout the entire day. These issue magnified as the project did not involve the population