Boston’s “Big Dig” — the decades-long effort to bury its downtown highway — ranks among the most expensive, complex and instructive infrastructure projects in American history. As New York City’s highways continue to deteriorate, and the debate over their future intensifies, elected officials should study the Big Dig carefully: for what it got right and for its foundational mistake.
The Lessons of Boston
By reconstructing Boston’s Central Artery underground, the city freed up nearly 30 acres of new land downtown and reconnected previously severed neighborhoods. The project also led to cleaner air and a reduced heat island effect. The South Boston Seaport attracted $7 billion in investment and 43,000 new jobs.
However, the Big Dig also expanded the roadway, widening it from six to eight lanes and adding a 10-lane bridge. Shortly after completion, congestion worsened citywide, ultimately making Boston one of the five most-congested cities in the country. This outcome was predicted, as traffic tends to expand to fill available space.
New York City’s BQE at a Crossroads
The lessons from Boston are now relevant to New York City, where the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) Central section is facing a crisis. Decades of salt and water intrusion have compromised the roadway’s integrity. In 2021, the city removed a lane in each direction and began issuing fines to trucks exceeding weight limits.
City politicians have offered differing solutions. In 2020, the City Council published a report stating that the BQE “cannot just be removed.” In 2022, former-Mayor Eric Adams proposed rebuilding and widening the triple cantilever by up to 67 percent. However, a spokesperson for mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani indicated a commitment to finding a “permanent solution” that preserves the transportation corridor.
A Radical Alternative
Mayor Mamdani could pursue a different path: dismantling the entire BQE from western Queens to southern Brooklyn. This would involve removing the overhead sections and filling in the trenched areas, transforming the corridor into public infrastructure.
This reimagined corridor could feature tree-lined boulevards, new housing, light rail or bus rapid transit, protected bike lanes, micromobility lanes, and connections to existing transportation networks. It could also accommodate modern freight rail.
Such a transformation could save billions in capital costs and generate billions in tax and farebox revenue. Removing the highway would also free up acres of public land for housing, parks, and other infrastructure. The average American car owner spends roughly $12,000 per year on their vehicle, while OMNY fares are capped under $1,900.
Challenges Ahead
This plan would require significant political capital and systemic thinking. The city would necessitate to acquire legal authority to decommission the BQE, working with New York State and the Federal Highway Administration to de-designate the city’s portion of Interstate 278. It would also require a shift in freight transportation, investing in alternatives to trucks.
Governance is another crucial consideration. The Big Dig’s 25-year timeline and cost overruns—roughly three times the original estimate—were attributed to political wrangling and a flawed governance structure. New York City needs a tightly scoped, time-limited planning process with clear benchmarks.
The question isn’t whether cities can remove highways—the West Side Highway in New York City was removed decades ago—but whether there is the will to develop bold choices for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Big Dig accomplish?
The Big Dig freed up nearly 30 acres of new land in downtown Boston, reconnected neighborhoods, improved air quality, and attracted $7 billion in investment to the South Boston Seaport.
What is the current situation with the BQE?
The BQE Central section is deteriorating due to decades of salt and water intrusion. The city removed a lane in each direction in 2021 and began issuing fines to overweight trucks.
What is being proposed as an alternative to rebuilding the BQE?
Mayor Mamdani could pursue dismantling the entire BQE and transforming the corridor into public infrastructure, including housing, transit, and green space.
Given the lessons learned from Boston’s Big Dig, what kind of transportation infrastructure do you believe best serves the needs of a 21st-century city?
