Learn about one of the most ambitious urban engineering projects in history. Take a private tour along Boston's downtown streets with an architectural historian to discover the dramatic structural evolution within the last 20 years with the transformation of the city's highway system.
Go behind the scenes of the 20-year project that changed the face of Boston forever. The Big Dig, as the project was dubbed, involved burying Boston's highway system, which was initially built in the 1950s, thereby restoring the city's historic center to its sun-bathed, traffic-free original condition.
Take a 3-hour walking tour with an architectural historian and retrace the structural evolution from the 17th century to present.
Stroll along downtown streets and see Boston's history from the unique perspective of the city's architecture.
Discuss the history behind the design of 2 historical Boston monuments, the Old Massachusetts State House and Faneuil Hall. Make your way to Quincy Market, the Custom House, and the warehouse buildings of the Boston Granite School.
Discover how the topography and layout of the city have affected the architectural decisions that have made the city what it is today.
See the city's economic development during the 19th and 20th centuries through the varying styles of commercial buildings.
Delve into the history of Boston's highway system along with similar highways in other cities and see how they impacted the transportation, civic identity, and urban planning decisions of their respective cities.
Discuss some of the project goals of the Big Dig and see what ways the project has transformed the city.
Continue your walk through the Big Dig's corridor of parks, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, as you discuss Boston's varying social and physical identities over the years.
Inclusions :

• Guided private tour
• Commentary in English

Duration:
3 hours
Departure time and location:
10 AM; in front of Bruegger's Bagel Bakery
Return time and location:
1 PM; in the general vicinity of Greenway Park
Note:
Reservation confirmation is requested. Please contact Context Walk LLC at least 48 hours prior to your tour date for additional information and to secure tour details, such as a map to the meeting point. Tour guide gratuity is not included and is at your discretion.