15 billion later…

Above: What Surface Rd and Atlantic Ave looked like -circa 2001?, before that stretch of the elevated Central Artery was demolished (Big Dig). If you visited Boston before 2003, you will remember that loud, ugly, polluting green monster in the heart of the historic and business

districts. For half a century, the Central Artery cut off the North End and the harbor from the rest of the city.

Below: The same area in June 2008. With the highway buried out of sight, Boston is experiencing a renaissance. :)

The Rose Kennedy Greenway is a series of parks and public spaces being created in downtown Boston. It is the final part of the Big Dig project.

Named in honor of Kennedy family matriarch Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, who was born in the North End neighborhood of Boston.

Below: the children’s spray fountains Adam mentioned in his comment.

It is amazing how lovely and lush the North End and Wharf District parks have become in just one year. I think that once the threes and shrubs have matured, the Rose Kennedy Greenway will be spectacular.

UPDATE: I found two interesting photos at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority site. The one below shows the Wharf District park.

Below: What the elevated Central Artery looked like.

Without major improvements to the Central Artery and the harbor crossings, Boston expected a stop-and-go traffic jam for up to 16 hours a day by 2010.[*]

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