Road Gallery B - Boston's Big Dig Preview

This is from the then Mass. Department of Public Works brochure on the CANA Project showing the roadways and ramps from the Tobin (beyond the bottom of the picture) to I-93.

According to the Brochure, this is what the area would look like after the Project was completed:

Much of the buildings in this rendering have not started to appear until recently, see 2002 update at bottom.

Looking toward City Square from the Charlestown Bridge (the red line on the sidewalk marks the Freedom Trail) showing the overhead ramps and roadways as they existed before the start of the project.

Looking beyond the marina, and in front of the Bunker Hill Monument, you can see the elevated roadway system between City Square and the Tobin Bridge.

View from the Charles River Dam showing the US 1 North ramp from I-93 North and construction of new temporary ramps for southbound US 1 behind, in center of photo.

View showing the double-stacked highway leading to and from the Tobin Bridge on the left and the street system as it appeared at the time heading toward City Square in the center. Ramp structure connecting City Square to US 1 south can be seen in the distance in center of photo.

The only structure left standing, a portion of the ramp from I-93 South to US 1 North, after the first round of ramp demolitions.  Exit ramps from I-93 south to US 1 North/Tobin Bridge, along with ramps accessing US 1 south from City Square were closed and later demolished along with much of the elevated highway carrying traffic southbound in the City Square area (traffic was moved to one lane of the northbound structure). The "arch" shown above, I guess because it was above a ramp still carrying traffic, was not removed for several months, long enough for me to memorialize it with a photograph.

View similar to 1987, showing remaining old ramps from the I-93 northbound, and behind, temporary ramps carrying traffic onto I-93 south (middle left). The first of many giant cranes to be seen in the Boston area in the next decade appears (center) in City Square.

View of the Staging Area (now parking lot behind Bunker Hill Community College) for the CANA Project north of City Square along Rutherford Avenue. Where mounds of dirt can be seen (middle left) is where new off and on-ramps connecting City Square to the Tobin Bridge would be constructed.

Construction of the highway tunnels under City Square. The overhead ramps they will replace are in the background (with the Boston skyline behind it).

Same excavation, looking more toward City Square and the I-93 upper and lower decks, showing tunnel sections already constructed under orange barrier.

One of the ventilation buildings under construction in City Square along with new ramps to I-93 North and South (you can see the signage already up toward the middle of the photo, I-93/US 1 South and I-93 North, if you have good eyes).

Looking in the direction of the Tobin Bridge, new tunnel to left, existing highway above. Road in foreground accessed the Charlestown Navy Yard and temporary onramp to Tobin Bridge.

City Square after Tunnel construction complete, second ventilation building in distance on the right.

Reconstructed Chelsea Street intersection in City Square, near completion of project. Brick and mortar wall from left middle to center is where the highway now emerges/enters the tunnel and heads for the bridge.

Looking back toward City Square, on location where tunnels were seen being built in first two photos taken in 1991. New road constructed over the tunnels in foreground connects Chelsea Street to Water Street and Charlestown Navy Yard.

View from Charlestown Bridge after completion of CANA Project showing removal of all overhead ramps and the new ramps from City Square to I-93 North and South (these ramps were later closed in 2001 for Big Dig construction).

View of Water Street and Chelsea Street Ventilation Building, grassy area is where northbound ramps once stood.

The view of the Chelsea street intersection at City Square, (hard not to) notice the new condominiums being built along what was a grassy area.

The Ventilation Building across from City Square, now surrounded by fences for Big Dig construction.
 

The Chelsea Street Ventilation building now also surrounded by condominiums both built and under construction, Chelsea Street continues past the Navy Yard on the left.

View of Charlestown from Charlestown Bridge now partially obscured by condo construction.

View from location of first shot from 1987 showing how things have changed in 15 years.