What Can We Learn From The Big Dig Problems?

Anthony Flint asks: What can we learn from the failures of Boston's Big Dig about what needs to change about planning and building mega-projects?

1 minute read

August 3, 2006, 5:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"The Big Dig is a unique and complex project. But the context for building it deserves examination. Out of the tragedy come some compelling lessons about the integrity - and the limitations - of city-building and mega-projects.

...The caricature of the Big Dig is that it was a treasure trove of jobs and federal funding. But it's neither the boondoggle nor the corruption sinkhole it's been made out to be. It was a hugely ambitious undertaking that had to deal with one curve ball after another, whether unstable soil, 300-year-old building foundations, or how to make sure long stretches of tunnels are ventilated in a fire or emergency.

...Infrastructure projects such as the Big Dig will require big money, innovation and resolve; mega-projects need to be executed with the kind of pride in craftsmanship that gave us the stone bridges of Frederick Law Olmsted's parks 100 years ago."

Thanks to Anthony Flint

Read the full story: The Big Problem

Thursday, August 3, 2006 in The Hartford Courant

Infrastructure Transportation Massachusetts

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