The 'Big Dig' Was a Big Catalyst

Over ten years after the Big Dig finally completed construction, more and more people in Boston are willing to say the project was worth all the trouble.

1 minute read

October 16, 2018, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Boston Big Dig

Adam Gladstone / Shutterstock

"When Boston’s Rose Kennedy Greenway officially opened in October 2008, it capped decades of planning, billions of dollars in cost overruns, traffic nightmares and faulty construction known as the Big Dig," according to an article by Cameron Sperance.

Still, Sperance is able to get a chorus of local real estate experts on the record talking about the Big Dig as a dig deal for local real estate investment. In fact. "the city’s real estate community says the infamous infrastructure project is why Boston's reputation has soared to its place as a global city for development."

According to this characterization, the project was a net positive for the city.

This isn't the first time the discussion of the Big Dig has shifted toward the positive. On the tenth anniversary of the project's completion in 2015, Anthony Flint wrote about the project evaluates the project in more ambivalent terms that might have been thought possible in 2005. The the Big Dig was also considered as a model when Toronto was considering a proposal, which eventually failed, to remove the Gardiner Expressway.

Thursday, October 11, 2018 in Bisnow Boston

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 7, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

The mayor of Baltimore speaks into a microphone in front of a rally for more state transportation funding from Maryland.

‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan

Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.

October 2, 2026 - Baltimore Sun

A rendering of the waterfront development, which shows a lit-up stage by the waterfront and people walking about.

Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment

Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.

October 2, 2026 - ABC 7

A yellow sign on the side of the road reads "NO DATA CENTER"

Data center developers are using lawsuits, cash offers to ‘overwhelm’ rural America

Newsrooms in five states worked together to uncover the tactics big tech developers use to buy land from reluctant communities.

30 minutes ago - The Oregonian

A woman in the snowy woods wraps two children in blankets.

U.S.-Iran war may have ‘devastating’ impact on cost to warm homes

Vermont and Maine residents may see a 76% increase in the cost of warming their homes this winter.

October 9 - Grist

Construction worker uses a power saw to cut through metal.

Senate bill would ‘overhaul’ environmental permitting laws

Under the proposed act, government agencies would also not be able to suspend or rescind permits after granting them.

October 9 - Smart Cities Dive