The Big Dig

by Dan McNichol, Andy Ryan (Photographer)

The first book ever written about Boston's Big Dig--the largest, most complex highway construction project ever embarked upon in U.S. history! This regional blockbuster reached #1 on the Boston Globe's bestseller list. Filled with dozens of remarkable photos and fascinating archival illustrations, it pulsates with details only an insider like Dan McNichol, former director of the project who was in at the conception, could provide. For

During peak construction years, the Big Dig spends nearly $110,000,000 a month. The project will place 3.8 million cubic yards of concrete, enough to build a sidewalk three feet wide and four inches thick from Boston to San Francisco...three times. Rats! Some city officials told the public that construction would dislodge millions of rats from deep down under the city.

When The Big Dig is finally finished, Boston will have over 200 acres of new parks, its skyline will be transformed, and its infamous traffic nightmares will be a thing of the past.

Genres: Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2000

Reviews

[Ann-Marie Messbauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I lived in the Boston area during some of the Big Dig, so this book on Boston's Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel project was especially interesting to me. The book was written by someone who was on the public relations team for the project, but keeping that in mind I think he presented a good balance of the many aspects of this huge undertaking, including the geology and history of the area, how the idea of the project developed and what hurdles it faced getting approval, and then of course, the actual construction itself. McNichol's description of the engineering challenges and solutions and the methods of construction, supplemented with many photographs, kept my jaw on the floor more often than not. I also appreciated that he would periodically refocus attention on the many people who were involved- he even includes a list of all the local unions that participated.

The major flaw is that the book was published in 2001 and the Big Dig was scheduled to be completed in 2005 (it was more like 2007), so there is a lot left out. But I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, as far as went.

[Grommit · Rating 4 out of 5]

200+ pages detailing the road, tunnel, subway construction project in Boston. The goals: tear down the "green monster" elevated highway, burrow a multi-lane route UNDER both the surface roadway AND the existing subway lines. Yes, under the subway lines...which never stopped operating. It also added a cross-channel route to Logan airport, which eliminated the need to drive through the heart of downtown Boston. Lots of unique techniques, including freezing the surrounding soils while preparing for sinking those large construction pipes. Also building tunnels that are floated into place, then sunk under the canals and harbor, then bolted together to form seamless tunnels.
Excellent, large, colorful photos supplement the narrative. The narrative walks through the construction planning and execution. Federal support is breezily addressed (something like 90% of the first $14Billion). Lots of praise for the major contractors...well-earned.
Book was published before the project was completed. Thus it did not sum up the actual cost of the project: $26 Billion when you include the cost of borrowing.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a proxy entry.
During 2023 and 2024, listened to The Big Dig podcast from 99% Invisible.
It was top-notch. Awesome. About 20 hours.
Cannot add "podcasts" to Goodreads, so this is a way of doing it.
~~~
I still would like to see the physical book.
Not available digitally. A copy is in the Toronto Reference Library.

[Frank Pentimone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read, I work in the deep foundation business and know a lot of guys who were on this project, good read on one of the biggest comstruction projects in history

[RaeCreated · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative with photos.

[Ingrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating read for anyone who's lived in or driven around Boston, though probably a bit inaccessible for anyone not already familiar with the city's byzantine layout. McNichol breaks down complex construction techniques and challenges in ways that will leave you thoroughly impressed by human ingenuity, and he relates the history of the Artery and the Big Dig back to early terraforming efforts in colonial Boston. Published before the Big Dig was actually complete, some of the final projections are incorrect, and the book overall takes a pretty rosy view of the project, including only some gentle criticisms.

[Surbhi Malpani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book. Provided completely different perspective of Boston to me. I had not seen Boston before big dig.

Feels like I connect with the city a little more after reading this book. I Will read it again soon and I Will also read part 2 of the book .

[Gerrit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lively and fascinating account of what was at the time the world's largest engineering project, the multiple challenges it presented, and the ingenious solutions produced to meet them, and the complete transformation of Boston in the process.