Rick presentation about central artery for stephaine pollocks class
1. Boston’s “Big Dig” & the Creation of the Artery Business Committee Rick Dimino President & CEO, A Better City
2. The Artery Business Committee Served as the independent eyes, ear and voice of Greater Boston’s business community in relation to the Central Artery/Tunnel Project Was a coalition of executives who shared a strong commitment to a timely completion of America’s largest and most complex public works development Worked to ensure that downtown Boston stayed open for business during construction
3. “Big Dig” basics Largest civic engineering project in history of the United States There are 160 miles of lane; this completes the I-90 corridor spanning from the Atlantic to Pacific oceans Total length of project is 18,480 feet; approximately 3.5 miles Complete cost estimates exceed $14.6 billion Construction began in 1991 and ended in 2006 Project improved access to Logan International Airport Increased interstate capacity and decreased travel time Provides opportunity for further economic growth by making downtown core and accessible destination point Created approximately 200 acres of open space
6. Big Dig back storyconstruction & demolition of an elevated highway In the 1940’s, Boston city planners proposed constructing a centrally located, elevated highway as a way to alleviate chronic automobile congestion present in the downtown core 1951, demolition begins as buildings are leveled to make way for the highway 1,000+ buildings torn down 20,000 residents displaced Elevated roadway completed in 1958 Project intact for 20+ years and then in the early 80’s urban design conversation shifts towards leveling the roadway and placing infrastructure underground
7. Construction continued for seven years…. 1954, highway isolates North End from rest of City 1954, facing South toward Atlantic Avenue; concrete piers in place to support a six-lane elevated highway Project hailed as solution to Boston’s traffic problems
22. ABC gave voice to local business community “In a dispute between the city and the state over the city’s request that the state add a downtown off- ramp, ABC issued a report that helped them develop a reputation as an impartial group. The report, in the words of a Boston Globe editorial, made recommendations that were -not just an opinion, but a reasoned analysis-” --Civic Leadership and The Big Dig
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24. The utilities took the opportunity to upgrade their underground facilities
52. The improved highway, bridge and tunnel network provides $168 million annually in time and cost saving for travelers--Economic Impacts of the Mass Turnpike Authority and the Central Artery/ Third Harbor Tunnel Project
59. Lessons LearnedABC played a major role in Minimizing construction impacts Improving project plans Resolving project-threatening controversies Securing needed funding Ensuring continued support Undertaking needed planning --Civic Leadership and The Big Dig
60. ABC’s success due to A Unique project Significant resources Responsiveness and staying power Multifaceted focus Flexible tactics --Civic Leadership and The Big Dig
66. Transitioning to A Better City Independent, membership-based organization that improves the economic competitiveness & quality of life of the Boston region Mobilizes the business community and collaborates with both the civic and government sectors A combined focus on transportation, land development and the environment is paramount in ABC’s approach to economic growth
67. Demonstrated Leadership Founded in 1989, one of the region’s most influential planning, research and project-based organizations Played a major role in shaping the Boston area’s new central highway network, open spaces and transportation system Focused on enhancing the viability of the City’s existing infrastructure; committed to major public realm, economic growth and sustainability initiatives
68. Committed to Collaboration Board is compromised of over 100 leaders from Boston’s financial services, hospitality & tourism, cultural institutions, construction, higher education, health care, life sciences, real estate and environmental services Diversity of industries and expertise positions ABC to lend valuable private sector support and advice