Big Dig
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The Big Dig was a megaproject in Boston that rerouted the then elevated Central Artery of Interstate 93 that cut across Boston into the O'Neill Tunnel and built the Ted Williams Tunnel to extend Interstate 90 to Logan International Airport. Those two projects were the origin of the official name, the Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Additionally, the project constructed the Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge over the Charles River, created the Rose Kennedy Greenway in the space vacated by the previous I-93 elevated roadway, and funded more than a dozen projects to improve the region's public transportation system. Planning for the project began in 1982; the construction work was carried out between 1991 and 2006; and the project concluded on December 31, 2007. The project's general contractor was Bechtel and Parsons Brinckerhoff was the engineer, who worked as a consortium, both overseen by the Massachusetts Highway Department.
Traffic on the old, elevated Central Artery at midday in 2003
Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge over the Charles River under construction, looking north. The old elevated Central Artery crossing is to the right.
Leonard P. Zakim Bridge
Temporary supports hold up elevated Central Artery during construction.
Central Artery
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The Central Artery is a section of freeway in downtown Boston, Massachusetts; it is designated as Interstate 93, US 1 and Route 3.
A 1920 plan for Boston's Central Artery, based on the West Side Elevated Highway
Traffic on the former Central Artery at mid-day (Demolished in 2003)
Southbound Interstate 93 beneath the streets of Boston
Central Artery exit towards Oliver Street, near Two International Place, overlooking Custom House Tower, 2002