Podcast Tour Boston The 22 Billion Dollar Scar and Salvation

Cambridge, USA
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Duration2h 3m
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesGerman, English
Group sizeUp to 99 travelers

Overview

Embark on a sweeping, visually-striking journey through the heart of Boston to uncover the story of the most ambitious, controversial, and transformative mega-project in American history. You will walk the very path where a roaring, elevated green monster of a highway once choked the city, and discover how engineers froze the earth, moved mountains of dirt, and spent 22 billion dollars to bury it. This is a story of staggering engineering triumphs, heartbreaking community displacement, and the ongoing battle for the soul of Boston's neighborhoods.

A 4.1 km self-guided tour with 7 stops over 123 min
Ideal for travelers interested in Urbanism, Infrastructure & Innovation and History & Memory
Immersively told in a podcast style by experts and locals
Matching audio content, AI guide and navigation through the app

What's included

  • Verified facts woven into an engaging story
  • Interactive in-app guide for questions about the story and surroundings
  • Precise navigation between the stops
  • Immersive podcast-style audio featuring experts and locals

What to expect

  1. 10m
    The northern gateway to the Big Dig, offering a stunning view of the iconic Zakim Bridge and setting the stage for the project's massive scale.
  2. North End
    10m
    A lush green space that physically and psychologically reconnected the historically isolated Italian-American North End to downtown Boston.
  3. Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park
    10m
    A waterfront park that highlights the restoration of pedestrian access to Boston's historic harbor, while grappling with its own contested historical monuments.
  4. 10m
    The site of an unprecedented engineering feat where a historic, active subway station was underpinned and suspended while a massive highway tunnel was dug beneath it.
  5. 10m
    The vibrant heart of the financial district's Greenway, showcasing contemporary murals and food trucks where a dark concrete wasteland once stood.
  6. 10m
    Boston's major transit hub, where engineers artificially froze the ground and used massive hydraulic rams to jack concrete tunnels beneath active train tracks.
  7. 10m
    The southern terminus of the Greenway, representing a community's historic resistance to the highway and the ongoing struggles with gentrification.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

From Boston's main station, take local public transport toward Nashua Street Park. Get off at the nearest stop and walk the final few minutes to Nashua Street Park, Boston, United States. Check the current local connection on the day of travel.

End point

From Chinatown Park, walk to the nearest public transport stop and travel back to Boston's main station. The departure point is Chinatown Park, Boston, United States. Check the current local connection on the day of travel.

Additional information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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€5.99 per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
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  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
Operated by Red Thread · Booked through Viator
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