Scratch & Win Part 4: The Double Cross
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Oct 11, 2023 This podcast explores the challenges and opposition faced during the construction of the Big Dig project, including resistance from local environmentalists and residents. It also discusses the rising costs of highway construction in America, the impact of NEPA and citizens' rights to sue, citizen participation and infrastructure costs in the 1970s, the opposition to Scheme Z, Queen Elizabeth's visit to Boston, and the difficult decision faced by the environmental affairs secretary.
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Bailey's Early Experience
- Martha Bailey, initially excited to work on the Big Dig, found it challenging to question Fred Salvucci's decisions.
- The project's scale led to an overwhelming amount of paperwork for Bailey.
Scheme Z's Genesis
- The Big Dig team explored over 30 different options for the Charles River crossing, labeled Schemes A through Z, then AA through DD.
- Salvucci championed Scheme Z despite its complexity and unpopularity among the team.
Citizen Lawsuits and Costs
- Economist Leah Brooks argues that citizen lawsuits, enabled by NEPA and the Overton Park case, significantly increased infrastructure costs since the 1970s.
- Brooks suggests citizen participation, while valuable, has costs.