The podcast explores the ambitious plan known as the Big Dig and the challenges faced in burying the central artery in Boston. It discusses protests against airport expansion and tunnel construction, as well as the shocking defeat of Tukakis. Michael Dukakis' comeback and Fred Salvucci's revelation contribute to new possibilities for tunnel construction. The podcast also highlights the forging of an unholy alliance and political opposition faced throughout the project.
The idea of burying the Central Artery in Boston was met with skepticism but gained support over time, bringing together a diverse coalition to address transportation issues.
Funding obstacles and political challenges emerged, including the threat of a veto from President Reagan, but Fred Salvucci remained determined to address transportation issues in Boston.
Deep dives
The Vision of Burying the Central Artery
Fred Salvucci, the Secretary of Transportation, proposed the idea of burying the Central Artery, an elevated highway in Boston, to Bill Reynolds, a road builder. Reynolds believed that burying the highway would change the perception of highways in general and improve the city. The elevated highway, built before the anti-highway movement gained strength, proved to be dysfunctional and caused traffic congestion. Salvucci saw the potential in Reynolds' idea and explored the possibility of constructing a tunnel underground while keeping the elevated highway operational. This concept of burying the Central Artery was met with skepticism but gained support over time.
The Conflict Over the Third Harbor Tunnel
Simultaneously, another tunnel project known as the Third Harbor Tunnel faced opposition from East Boston residents. The airport expansion threatened the neighborhood and fueled activism against it. Activists, including Anna DeFranzo, organized protests and fought against the expansion. Ed King, the former head of Massachusetts Port Authority and advocate for airport expansion, ran for governor with a different Democratic Party platform, challenging incumbent Michael Dukakis. However, the East Boston community news, led by Renee Loth, helped raise awareness about King's plans and played a role in ousting him. King's defeat and Dukakis's focus on transportation issues allowed Salvucci to return as Secretary of Transportation and worked towards a compromise between the Central Artery and the Third Harbor Tunnel.
Building a Coalition and Overcoming Opposition
Fred Salvucci faced challenges in building a coalition around the combined project of burying the Central Artery and constructing the Third Harbor Tunnel. Skeptics existed among East Boston residents who had previously opposed the tunnel. Salvucci worked to convince Anna DeFranzo and other activists that this new tunnel proposal was beneficial. The activists' concerns were addressed, with the project designed to avoid taking anyone's property. The issue was debated extensively during public meetings at Faneuil Hall. A diverse coalition, including environmentalists, community activists, business leaders, and road builders, emerged, supporting the project to improve transportation and alleviate congestion. The coalition, though disparate, shared the goal of resolving transportation issues for the greater good.
Facing Political Challenges and Funding Obstacles
While the combined project gained significant support locally, funding obstacles and political challenges emerged. The national political landscape shifted with the election of Ronald Reagan as President of the United States. Reagan had concerns about the funding of the project, and his administration threatened to veto the necessary federal funding. This posed a significant hurdle that the project would need to overcome. Despite the challenges, Fred Salvucci remained determined, seeing the project as a necessary and transformative endeavor that would address transportation issues in Boston.
In the early 1970s a radical idea took shape: tearing down Boston’s elevated downtown highway, and rebuilding it underground. But making it happen will require a grand bargain between two competing tunnel projects, and between bitter enemies.
Credits:
Host and scriptwriter: Ian Coss
Executive Producer: Devin Maverick Robins
Producers: Isabel Hibbard and Ian Coss
Editor: Lacy Roberts
Editorial Advisor: Stephanie Leydon
Fact Checker: Lisa Wardle
Scoring and Music Supervision: Ian Coss
Project Manager: Meiqian He
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