- 23
- Episodes
- 12
- Transcribed
- 178
- Ratings
- 2023
- First episode
About The Big Dig
There is a cynicism that hangs over the topic of American infrastructure – whether it’s high-speed rail or off-shore wind – it feels like this country can’t build big things anymore. No one project embodies that cynicism quite like what Bostonians call ‘The Big Dig.’ Infamous for its ever-increasing price tag, this massive highway tunneling effort was once ridiculed as the Big Mess, the Big Hole, the Big Pig, the Big Lie. But now, decades later the story looks more complicated. So how did the narrative around this project go so horribly wrong? And what lessons can it offer for the ambitious projects of today? The nine episode series is produced by GBH News in partnership with PRX.
- Publisher
- GBH News
- Category
- history
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- Yes
- First episode
- 13 Sept 2023
- Latest episode
- 22 Jul 2026
Latest episodes
12 of 23 episodes have a transcript.
22 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT
Highway Teardown Tour | 11. Boston, MA
22 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT
Highway Teardown Tour | 10. Providence, RI
15 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT
Highway Teardown Tour | 9. Philadelphia, PA
Inside a recent episode
Highway Teardown Tour | 11. Boston, MA
Published 22 Jul 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] So if we go back into that settlement, there is specific language in there around green space, 75% green space on what was the elevated central artery. So a commitment to that. Yes, and to be fair, the city's initial planning process as early as 1991 also said 75% green space, 25% building. So it wasn't entirely made up either by Fred Salvucci and the Massachusetts Department or by the Conservation Law Foundation. We were all trying to take our lead from all the other stakeholders who were working on the Big Dig, which is clear from your podcast. There were a lot of them. Right. So let's fast forward. […]
Read the full transcript with a Pod Engine plan.
See plansWho has been a guest on The Big Dig
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
- Edward Fitzpatrick
- Zack Cunha
- Mike Lewis
- Inga Saffron
- Daniel Pearson
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 4.9 / 5
- 178 ratings
Contact The Big Dig
- Guest appearances
- Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Shows with a similar audience
Host of The Big Dig?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show
Podcast research with Pod Engine