Saying 'Goodbye' to the Big Dig and 'Hello' to the Greenway and the New Boston

Many often wonder if they will ever truly reap the benefits of Boston's Big Dig. With a lot of controversial issues, over-spending, and serious inconveniences, many Bostonians have thought negatively about the Big Dig. That is all about to change. Over the years, all we've seen from the Big Dig are clouds of dust, traffic backups and hundreds of construction workers. There is now a positive side to all the hassle. Such things as bike paths, green commons, beautifully landscaped parks, art exhibits, memorials, and private quarters are all part of the Big Dig's payoff, besides the dismantling of the central artery and smoother traffic flow. It has been projected that within the next several years, many beautiful and desirable features will exist in what will be the Rose Kennedy Greenway, or as, the soon to be household name, The Greenway.

Standing at the base of North Washington Street is the most noticeable aspect of this massive infrastructure development. the Leonard P. Zakim Bridge. This engineering feat, supported by cables, is a beautiful and architectural addition to Boston's scenic view. In due time (optimistically by Summer 2007's end) there will be more than a mile of green parkland (the Greenway). Such new features do not end here. In the North End there will be two blocks of parks running along Cross Street and over to North Street. A plaza nearby will feature a map of what the 'old Boston' used to look like (Boston five years ago).

As one of the countries most historical cities, Boston will be lined with bronze rails engraved with historical figures and quotes. The North End will have these bronze plaques inscribed with quotes from the North End's residents ranging from the early 17th century until today. Such features will not only add to Boston's beauty, but pleasure history buffs all around Boston. Side streets and main streets all along the central artery will be lined with trees and flowers. Ramps no longer stand in between North Street and Christopher Columbus Park, but rather another one of the Boston Museums architectural buildings. Every inch of the Greenway will have something different for condo residents.

The central portion of the Greenway is the four Wharf District blocks that go to the Boston Harbor Hotel. The outlines of the four historic wharfs (City, Central, Long and India) are identified by decorative paintings. However, the heart of the Greenway is the two blocks between State and India Street. This is where most of the activities are held, with fountains and greenery. Then there is the 31 story Russia Wharf office tower that casts a shadow on the Greenway. Although Russia Wharf is only air space at the moment, the approved plans and architectural renderings are something that everyone in the area must marvel over, and most certainly will, once the massive green, glass development is completed. Even Chinatown will have its own additions, with a park laced with bamboo and willows. Anyone lucky enough to become a resident along the Greenway, whether it be in the North End, Chinatown, Financial District or waterfront, is sure to enjoy themselves and the beauty of Boston even more, due to these incredible aesthetic and engineering improvements.

Russia Wharf - Making Waves

Russia Wharf is a titanic redevelopment project just starting its early stages of construction. The 31-story structure will maintain its brick base, and will reach its proposed height by erecting a glass encased structure that will tower over the new Rose Kennedy Greenway. It has recently made headlines by forcing the developers of the newly finished Intercontinental Boston, luxurious condos and hotel, to draw up a lawsuit for obstructing views on one side of the building. The property was purchased not too long ago as part of a nationwide $39 billion dollar deal, and now it is being offered up to developers. 12 developers initially showed interest, but due to an eruption of demand for the project, the list has been narrowed to 4 able candidates. These 4 bidders must submit their bids by tomorrow. One thing is for sure, we haven't heard the last of the Russia Wharf development.

For more information on condominiums at Russia Wharf, click the following link : Russia Wharf condos.

Condo Living On Boston's New Greenway

In 1959 Boston authorities made a tough decision when figuring out what to do with the overflow of traffic moving to, from, and through the city. Their solution was to erect a 6 lane elevated superhighway, one that would slice the city in half. The Central Artery, as it was called, displaced 20,000 residents from their homes, and severed Boston's Waterfront and the North End from the rest of the city. The ability for these neighborhoods to economically compete in the city's commerce were cruelly diminished. 25 years later, when the volume of traffic on the Central Artery began creating over 10 hours of congested traffic per day, and as the severed neighborhoods were still harboring their grudges, a solution was planned once again. This time it was called "The Big Dig".


The Big Dig broke ground in 1991 with a mission to remove the entire Central Artery, replacing it with an 8-10 lane expressway below the surface. It would require huge connector ramps on either side of the tunnel, and as an added bonus, the Ted Williams Tunnel would be constructed to connect Logan Airport in East Boston to South Boston, thus creating an alternate route for travelers approaching from the South and West. When it was all said and done, the Big Dig disrupted 7.8 miles of highway. If each lane of those highways were laid down one after the other, it would stretch out for more then 161 miles. The project is currently in its final stages, 15 years later.


Although the finishing touches still need to be applied, Boston residents are already realizing the effects of the Big Dig. The North End and the Waterfront are once again a part of the city, whereby residents can easily stroll from one neighborhood to the other. The sound of traffic is buried beneath the streets, and the once poisoned property along the Central Artery is busting with construction and realizing a growing volume of commerce. Besides bringing the city back together, the Big Dig is responsible for the creation of more then 260 acres of open land. Where the old artery once stood stretching through the city, a strip of parks, art centers, and recreational facilities are being built. The Rose Kennedy Greenway, as the strip will be termed, is being lined with new hotels, restaurants, shops, galleries, an arboretum within, and several new luxurious condominium residences. Rowes Wharf and the Boston Harbor Hotel have had the pleasure of watching the entire Greenway laid out in front of them. Other condo buildings, either new construction or recent conversions, have recently opened their doors in time to take full advantage of the areas new atmosphere. These include Greenway Place, Folio Boston, Broadluxe, and the Residences at the Intercontinental. There are several residential communities planned for the future, including Russia Wharf, which will position itself should-to-shoulder with The Intercontinental.


The Greenway represents something brand new for a city whose streets and neighborhoods have already fathered so much history. Being a Boston resident affords each individual the ability to observe and contribute to this exciting era. Living along the Greenway and among all its integral surroundings offers a promise of something novel and unique in a city where that is often rare. The Rose Kennedy Greenway will be a hub of anticipation, of activity, of fresh character, and of exhilaration.

For a virtual tour of the Rose Kennedy Greenway, visit "Neoscapes A City In Bloom"
Statistics Source - Massachusetts Turnpike Authority