The Big Dig project drew attention for different reasons, most of them appearing to be negative to the public. According to Virginia Greiman, the Big Dig drew attention due to its enormity, environmental issues, its visibility and the technology used in the project(Greiman, 2010). The Big Dig is a project that was able to capture the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Among them the $14 billion dollar count of the amount of the project from a prospected $2.4 million(Wald, 2007). Also, the details of the Big Dig construction seem to have been removed from the website soon after they had been uploaded implying to the public that something is being hidden from them. As a result, it may be tough to determine whether the Big Dig has attracted attention mainly due to the controversies associated with it or as a result of its brilliance.
Despite having undergone a lot of shortcomings and obstacles the Big Dig project was completed. Many residents of Boston now claim that they can’t imagine the city without it. To many it I quite the sight to see and especially for tourists who are visiting Boston(Smith, 2007). Also, the Big Dig grabs the attention of many architects, designers among other professionals who participate in planning and construction.
One of the greatest burdens brought about by the Big Dig is the payment of the loan that may end up costing the government up to $24 billion(Poole & Samuel, 2011). Regardless of this fact, the benefits of the Big Dig outweigh its shortcomings. This is the reason that I strongly feel that the Big Deal has caused more attention due to the reduction of traffic congestion and decrease in carbon monoxide emissions. The Big Dig may have attracted its own fair share of attention due to the scandals but it is its brilliant construction that has earned it the most attention.
References
Greiman, V. A. (2010). The Big Dig: Learning from a Mega Project. Ask Magazine, 47–52.
Poole, R. W., & Samuel, P. (2011). Transportation Mega-Projects and Risk. Reason Foundation, 2(3), 18-23.
Smith, M. W. (2007). Boston ’ s “ Big Dig ”: A Socio-Historical and Political Analysis of Malfeasance and Official Deviance. Boston: Boston inc.
Wald, M. L. (2007). The collapse of Big Dig Ceiling in Boston Is Tied to Glue. The New York Times,26-28.
