1. The BIG DIG Team Summit Topic Presentation April 19th, 2005
Tommy Nguyen & Candace Pederson

2. Problem
Boston, Massachusetts’ main highway - the 6 lane Central Artery - (built in 1959) along with the harbor crossings could not predict the exponential growing Boston community that it would have to support in the years to come…

3. Conditions will only worsen…
High congestion at least 10 hours/day
Has 4x’s the national accident rate average
Deteriorating and becoming unstable and unsafe
Environmental concerns
Wasted fuel from idling and late deliveries cost drivers 500 million dollars/year
this elevated highway cuts off communities from Boston – severing them from economic culture

4. Boston’s Future
By 2010, it is predicted that the Central Artery will be completely congested with a permanent traffic jam that lasts all day and all night.

5. Solution CA/T (Central Artery/Tunnels Project or The “Big Dig”)
8-10 lane UNDERGROUND expressway underneath the existing structure
Merging as a 14 lane two bridge crossing over the St. Charles river
Central Artery will be demolished and space used for other developments (such as park space)

6. Challenges
“To put these highway improvements in the ground in a city like Boston proved to be one of the largest, most technically difficult and environmentally challenging infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the United States.” (

7. Predicted Solution Benefits
Less time in traffic!
12% reduction in carbon monoxide levels
Connect communities that were once severed
260 acres of open land – much of it used for new parks
Capped off old dumps with dirt from project

8. Project SCOPE Management
Replace the 6 lane elevated highway with an 8-10 lane underground expressway
14 lane/2 bridge crossing over St. Charles River
Old highway used for parks/developments
Add extension of I-90 (Mass Turnpike) will be a tunnel beneath South Boston & the Boston Harbor
First link will be the Ted Williams Tunnel under the harbor

9. Project TIME management
Project started in 1991 (design began in 1980s)
Summer 2004, 94% complete
Entire project will be finished mid-2005

10. Timeline
1983: Work begins on Final Environmental Impact Statement/Report
1987: Congress approves funding and scope of Project. Building acquisition and business relocation process begins.
1990:  Congress allocates $755 million to project.  Construction begins on Ted Williams Tunnel and South Boston Haul Road.  
1992: More than $1 billion in design and construction contracts under way. Dredging and blasting for the Ted Williams Tunnel ongoing. Archaeologists find 17th and 18th century artifacts at a North End dig. 
1993: South Boston Haul Road opens. All 12 tube sections for Ted Williams Tunnel are placed and connected on harbor floor. 
1994: Charles River Crossing design approved.  New set of loop ramps open in Charlestown. 
1998: Enter peak construction years, including Charles River Crossing.  
1999: Overall construction 50 percent complete.  New Broadway Bridge opens :  Nearly 5,000 workers employed on the Big Dig
2001:  Overall construction 70 percent complete. 
2004:  Dismantling of the elevated Central Artery (I-93). Looking Ahead . . .
2005: 96% complete. Issues are popping up…

11. Project COST management
Construction: $9,120 Million
Force Accounts: $596 Million
Right of Way Settlements: $572 Million
Design: $996 Million
Project Management: $1962 Million
Insurance: $572 Million
Contingency: $258 Million

12. Project Management Monthly (PMM)
CA/T established this report to publicly document scope, schedule, and cost progress.
Posted on website for anyone to view
Lists all project management details that are discussed

13. Current Problems Cost overruns! Leaky tunnel walls
Tuesday April 5th: Dirt/debris fall and hit motorists (damage cars/ambulance)

14. The Big Dig

15. References Official website: http://www.masspike.com/bigdig/index.html
CNN.com:
Boston News:
Photos: