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Boston

The Big Dig: Boston's 22 Billion Dollar Scar and Salvation

4.1 km123 min7 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Embark on a sweeping, visually-striking journey through the heart of Boston to uncover the story of the most ambitious, controversial, and transformative mega-project in American history. You will walk the very path where a roaring, elevated green monster of a highway once choked the city, and discover how engineers froze the earth, moved mountains of dirt, and spent 22 billion dollars to bury it. This is a story of staggering engineering triumphs, heartbreaking community displacement, and the ongoing battle for the soul of Boston's neighborhoods.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Nashua Street Park

The northern gateway to the Big Dig, offering a stunning view of the iconic Zakim Bridge and setting the stage for the project's massive scale.

Nashua Street Park

Image by Eric Kilby on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

1.31 km • 20 min
2

STOP 2

North End Parks

A lush green space that physically and psychologically reconnected the historically isolated Italian-American North End to downtown Boston.

1.00 km • 15 min
3

STOP 3

Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park

A waterfront park that highlights the restoration of pedestrian access to Boston's historic harbor, while grappling with its own contested historical monuments.

Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park

Image by Slugger O'Toole on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.21 km • 3 min
4

STOP 4

Aquarium Station

The site of an unprecedented engineering feat where a historic, active subway station was underpinned and suspended while a massive highway tunnel was dug beneath it.

Aquarium Station

Image by Pi.1415926535 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.95 km • 15 min
5

STOP 5

Dewey Square Park

The vibrant heart of the financial district's Greenway, showcasing contemporary murals and food trucks where a dark concrete wasteland once stood.

Dewey Square Park

Image by 4300streetcar on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

0.12 km • 2 min
6

STOP 6

South Station

Boston's major transit hub, where engineers artificially froze the ground and used massive hydraulic rams to jack concrete tunnels beneath active train tracks.

South Station

Image by Bohao Zhao on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

0.47 km • 7 min
7

END

Chinatown Park

The southern terminus of the Greenway, representing a community's historic resistance to the highway and the ongoing struggles with gentrification.

Chinatown Park

Image by Ingfbruno on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for Architecture enthusiasts, urban explorers, history buffs, and anyone fascinated by the hidden mechanics of modern cities.
  • Best time Daytime, particularly late morning or early afternoon when the parks are lively and the sunlight hits the Zakim Bridge.
  • What to bring Comfortable walking shoes are a must, as we will be covering a significant portion of the Greenway.
  • Weather check Boston weather can turn quickly. Bring a windbreaker, especially for the waterfront stops.
  • Food and drink Come hungry! We will pass by the North End and Dewey Square food trucks.
  • Pacing Take your time in the parks. The Greenway is meant to be experienced slowly.
  • Photography Bring a wide-angle lens if you have one; the Zakim Bridge and the murals demand it.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Tom Bennett
Audio sample
0:000:00

Tom Bennett

  • Urbanism, Infrastructure & Innovation
  • Northern England

Architecture and urban planning professional. Explains the city's hidden systems – from mobility to water pipes – clearly and vividly.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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