Home > Video Channel > Tour of the Big Dig in Boston

Tour of the Big Dig in Boston

Bob visits a loft building in beautiful downtown Boston. He meets with Dan McDaniels the public relations officer for the city who shows Bob "The Big Dig Project". The current infrastructure of road ways can't handle the demand of traffic so "The Big Dig Project" was started. The project includes a subterranean interstate with a total of 8 lanes, new subway lines and new terminal stations all underground routing traffic under the city. Above ground the city plans to make a wonderful park area with lots of trees. The new interstate will be approximately 100 feet underground and there are crews pouring the concrete foundation for the interstate with thousands of tons of concrete.
Get Adobe Flash Player to see this content.

Chapters from this episode

Clip Transcript For:

Tour of the Big Dig in Boston

  computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" Now what was the problem here was the motivation for this project will bump right in the center of Boston Isabel they're highly forty feet high -- And it's only six lanes wide. And those six -- of being Fed into -- 38 and it means traffic. Getting in on him to know trying to do is correct that problem in the past now that -- it. Some. Built in Bosnia now handles over 200000 so Bob -- director --"

" And not only that but it it kind of splits the traditional heart of the city the financial district in the antique districts of Boston -- to him absolutely it divides that he might happen. Waterfront apartment this will bring that city and then this -- And what we're doing is all underground tell us a little bit about what we're doing what we're standing right on top of four lanes of interstate highway four lanes of subterranean highway. Isn't the northbound lanes of the future 93. Going -- in the city. Okay and what's interesting to me is that we're in a spot that when all this construction is completed we'll be rather park like they'll be a four lane road through here but the sidewalks are going to be 25 feet wide there's going to be all sorts of Linden trees all over the place exactly yeah we're -- be looking at this. Which is really the 21 century this is Boston's south station. Which is connected with that the the antique train station here yeah exactly worthiness of the historic district south station -- in the new. Callable transportation intermodal transportation all of us have it right and what we're really looking at is likely set it apart space right when he put brick sidewalk -- granite terms -- the 21 century -- the nineteenth century but what we want to do -- we -- go -- about a hundred feet underground. Will go about a hundred feet on the ground that's right -- to start okay."

" And Daniel like this project so much you decided to be a neighbor at a lot project right that's right you couldn't get enough -- right thing building here in a nursery -- attic. Now we are Bob and concrete down about what eighty -- here at the almost a 180 exactly. All of they celebrating in working button that would -- just today have tribes thought that -- literally enormous fight that we're looking. Well look yes -- spots are acting as -- Mechanism so let's learn more of the wall on the other side of the highway tunnel. The glass. Let's get down next okay."

" Okay again there -- Putting finishing touches on on big concrete pour that is that what level is that or cars will actually be rolling back that's going to the foundation of the superhighway. And twelve feet up whether actually surfacing of the material right now we'll be you don't need road's surface that the road trucks and cars -- the that's just the foundation. That's right OK just if this gets so complicated because I mean we just heard a train a minute ago we got buses trains aren't everything I mean what can you explain. All the different levels work certainly this."

" And the -- of transportation from Boston this this college solo is diving down to 5% grade it underneath the somewhere along the Red Line until nineteen. Team Boston the first subway we couldn't move it so we're going underneath it. But won't go underneath the subway -- try to -- as part of the entire project about a 140 feet down. Above the highway tunnel though will be existing red line subway above the subway lines were building a new subway line. Called the Silver Line -- transit line. That'll be at first a rubber tired much to get the bugs. Above that will create a lobby in the lobby will be servicing both the new transit line. And the existing red line subway and there were talking a total of 240. Feet of layers exactly. All of the surface has gone down."

" Then this is the biggest page of reinforcing. Bars. That I've ever seen now what what happens here this is they highway wall. The walls -- to the columns where traffic urgent because we're one lane of interstate here anomaly here. -- similar to other people -- OK so what we're looking at here where you've got actually the epoxy treated rods the Greenland those will be column. That's relevant elements of salt water column and so we are standing where several major roadways will intersect below ground here that's right interstate ninety. Assessment 93 going north the worst thing and -- nine OK and now we're close to where the men of foreign. Pouring that that concrete that -- but they're still good ten or fifteen feet difference between where they -- where I'm standing what happens down below there."

" Let's talk one of the most drivers don't know -- about this pilot solvent. Twelve feet below the foundation of the tunnel and -- and ventilation shaft that'll carried exhausted air out of the tunnel. -- on the question of the apartment down below. Traveled through vent above the surface what we are now -- fresh air mix with the exhaust -- air. And because they're taken away -- buildings have collapsed on the road that that the exhaust fan if you can compare almost to a kitchen this members of the its seven city blocks. Remove from here exactly seventy blocks north. You -- the largest analysts. The world and it. As broad as anybody calculated just how many tons of earth and concrete are being moved around in the front and back down that's -- time we've gotten -- that we -- This project and they did it help him and I believe it."

 [-]


More Videos »Related Videos

Removing a Rotted Tree
Removing a Rotted Tree

Bob talks with Ruth Foster, landscape designer and former Assistant Tree Warden for the city of Boston, about a problematic maple tree in the backyard. Foster explains the tree is a potential hazard as it is leaning and could fall on the house if there is a bad storm. The tree has a double trunk with a narrow crotch with rot in the middle, all of which make it highly unstable. The tree has also grown with a distinctive lean to better make its way towards the sunlight. The tree service company, Maltby & Co., was called in to take the tree down . A crane truck was jacked up and levelled and a police detail was called to direct traffic around the site. A man was attached to the crane's line and hoisted to the top of the tree. He then cut large branches from the tree and attached them to the crane's line to be lowered to the ground. Pieces of the branches were then fed into a wood chipper while larger sections were separated out for future use. Several smaller trees were also removed, bringing a lot of sunlight into the backyard.

Landscaping with Hedges, Trees, and Perennials
Landscaping with Hedges, Trees, and Perennials

Ruth Foster, a retired horticultural columnist from the Boston Globe, joins Bob to review the landscaping plan and plantings for the Rowley yard. Foster has selected a Euonomous hedge to screen the yard from the street. Kelly Brothers landscaping is planting the hedge plants, trees, and gardens. Foster has selected evergreens to round out the corners of the yard and shield the yard from the neighbors. Kelly Brothers plants dogwood trees and flowering magnolias that will grow to about 20 feet. Foster warns against overplanting and reminds Bob that small trees grow much quicker than large ones. She then explains the best way to plant a tree, which is wider than the root ball but with a hard bottom in the planting hole so that the tree won't sink. Foster says to keep the flair at the base of the tree above the soil line. Closer to the deck, Foster has created a flowering border that will enclose the vista and bloom throughout the season.

How to Plant a Tree
How to Plant a Tree

A new tree can improve the look of a yard and add personality to a home.

How to Trim a Tree
How to Trim a Tree

Whether cutting storm-damaged branches and dead limbs, regulating growth or shaping a tree for aesthetic purposes, regular trimming is important to promoting a healthy, good-looking tree.

Related Products & Services Showrooms

Basement Waterproofing and Crawl Space Contractor Network
Basement Waterproofing and Crawl Space Contractor Network

… After! TripleSafe TripleSafe with SaniDry A wet basement is a common problem in all types of basements - from concrete to stone to block foundations - and we've fixed thousands of each type. Learn what causes your basement water problems and…

More Content »More Content

The Benefits of Concrete Houses
The Benefits of Concrete Houses

As this precast concrete log home in Montana shows that concrete does not limit the appearance of a home. As this precast concrete log home in Montana shows that concrete does not limit the appearance of a home. Far from the misconceptions…

How to Repair Cracked Concrete
How to Repair Cracked Concrete

…value or create a safety issue. We ll take you through a few concrete repair projects to help guide your approach. This concrete repair effort was inadequate. Proper concrete repair will result in a lasting solution. Photo courtesy of Karen…

Concrete Countertops: The Design and Construction Process
Concrete Countertops: The Design and Construction Process

…first appeared in homes in the 1970s, concrete countertops have continued to add value…
…natural composition. According to Concrete Network, a resource for Inlays add a personal touch and make concrete countertops unique to the owner. Photo…

Inspirational Ideas for Using Concrete in Your Home
Inspirational Ideas for Using Concrete in Your Home

…were considered, Willis chose to install a concrete floor. Throughout the years, concrete has been used for sidewalks and cold garage…
…gradually being reintroduced to the benefits of concrete as countertops, fireplaces, roofs and more…

Browse Topics

Click on a letter to browse content by topic alphabetically.



About  | FAQ  | Contact  | Sitemap  | Privacy Policy  | Terms of Use  | Help

© BobVila.com 2009