Big Dig

Boston, Massachusetts

Massachusetts Converts HOV Lane to General Purpose Lane

Road planners looking to increase capacity without adding lanes are focusing on managing existing lanes more effectively. Massachusetts has gone the opposite direction. The Conservation Law Foundation plans to hold them accountable.

October 12, 2019 - Boston.com

Boston Big Dig

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.

October 16, 2018 - Bisnow Boston

Ten Years Later: Evaluating the Big Dig

Ten years after the completion of the Central Artery and Tunnel project—or the Big Dig, as it's more commonly known—has the project become more justifiable?

December 30, 2015 - The Boston Globe

Falling Short of Lofty Visions, Boston Greenway a Success Nonetheless

As the culmination of the Big Dig project that sunk Boston's elevated Central Artery, the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway was envisioned as one of the world's premier parks. Though plans have been curtailed, the park has become a beloved space.

August 19, 2013 - The Boston Globe

Boston's Big Dig Buries Other Transportation Projects

Completed years ago, the true cost of Boston's "Big Dig" is finally being tallied. Unfortunately, for residents of Massachusetts, the tab is far from paid, imperiling funding for other necessary transportation projects, reports Eric Moskowitz.

July 12, 2012 - Boston.com

What Infrastructure Crisis?

Transportation policy expert, Ken Orski, takes a different perspective in his column, "Living in Denial". Rather placing the blame on the American public and lawmakers denying the infrastructure crisis, he applies it to the transportation community.

October 20, 2010 - InfrastructureUSA

The Promise of the Big Dig Unfulfilled

Causeway Street, formed by the Big Dig in Boston, is in the plans as a vibrant new center of streetlife. With the Big Dig construction long over, planners say now is the time.

June 14, 2010 - The Boston Globe

Planning for Development Around Boston's Rose Kennedy Greenway

The Boston Redevelopment Authority is looking to inject some life back into the area surrounding the relatively empty park atop the city's infamous Big Dig.

May 6, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

Superproject Drought?

No major public works are underway in the United States, according to this piece from The New York Times. Some say the absence of major infrastructure projects may be hurting the economy.

December 1, 2009 - The New York Times

Economic Stimulus Needs to be More Than "Big Digs"

The image of tens of thousands of people being put to work on massive public works projects may be a thing of the past, some economists argue.

January 15, 2009 - The Globe and Mail

Big Dig Moves Congestion to Suburbs

Since its completion, Boston's Big Dig freeway project has succeeded in reducing congestion downtown, but new figures show the congestion has merely moved out of the central city into suburban areas.

November 19, 2008 - The Boston Globe

Boston's Other Big Dig

For the last ten years, the Army Corps of Engineers has been dredging the bottom of Boston Harbor in an effort to make more room for larger cargo ships. Dredging is almost complete on the project.

October 27, 2008 - The Boston Globe

One Blight Down, One To Go

In this op-ed piece, Kevin C. Phelan and Yanni Tsipis argue that Boston's 'Big Dig' has only fought half the battle, calling for a more proactive approach to building over the city's other auto sewer, the Massachusetts Turnpike.

June 24, 2008 - The Boston Globe

Big Dig's Aftershocks

A look at how the specter of Boston's Big Dig cast a dark shadow over proposed freeway replacement plans in Seattle and other cities.

March 17, 2008 - The Boston Globe

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.