Boston's Big Dig Finally Open

techiemac writes "I just saw a news story on yahoo about Boston's Big Dig finally opening. The Big Dig is considered by many to be the largest modern urban construction project ever!"

Comments

Big Dig = Giant Boondoggle for Special Interests

[squarooticus]

Original projected cost: $2.5 billion
Final cost: $16 billion

Do the math. Once this thing got started, no one in power was going to say, "STOP! It's costing too much!", both because it seemed irreversible and because the Dems in power in Boston (Massachusetts is a one-party state) were happy getting union favors in elections in return for more jobs artificially generated by the Big Dig's continuation.

Most of this $16 billion came from out of state, i.e., from your pocket. Do you think Boston residents who already command huge rents and appraisals should now be able to look out the window at a grassy knoll instead of elevated steel girders and command even higher rents and appraisals, and at your cost?

Really, the elevated artery could have been renovated to provide the same benefits---minus the prettiness---that the Big Dig provides, and at a much reduced cost. But what is $16 billion, really, when you consider the size of the federal budget, especially when spread over 15 years? Unfortunately, $16 billion here and $16 billion there add up to what is considered real money even by the standards of the federal government.

Several groups are lobbying to have the Big Dig tunnel and bridge (currently named the "Liberty Tunnel" and the "Lenoard P. Zakim Bridge") renamed "The Taxpayer's Tunnel/Bridge." Since there's no way we're getting our money back, maybe we can at least recognize the people who really made this possible: the taxpayers.

Yet, the Democratic cabal on Beacon Hill wants to rename the tunnel after Tip O'Neill, a Democratic Senator from the great Commonwealth of Taxachusetts who was responsible for this pork barrel project. As a taxpaying resident of Massachusetts, I am outraged that these people are trying to celebrate this corruption! I can't believe I'm the only one.

Re:northbound has been open for a while

[jared_hanson]

That's cool. Three posts higher someone clames that its the southbound thats open while northbound remains closed. Both posts get positive moderation.

Good thing moderators are willing to doll out points in spite of being completely ignorant.

That is all.

Re:You know it's closing next summer ...

[b-baggins]

Why would terrorists hit their biggest allies in the US?

Yeah, it's a troll and flamebait, but it's good humor because it's based in truth.

Re:Sad

[Deanasc]

class sizes at my former high school have doubled in 3 years

Would those be the previous 3 years that Bush was in office or the previous 15 years the Big Dig has been in planning?