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The Big Dig

There is a cynicism that hangs over the topic of American infrastructure – whether it’s high-speed rail or off-shore wind – it feels like this country can’t build big things anymore. No one project embodies that cynicism quite like what Bostonians call ‘The Big Dig.’ Infamous for its ever-increasing price tag, this massive highway tunneling effort was once ridiculed as the Big Mess, the Big Hole, the Big Pig, the Big Lie. But now, decades later the story looks more complicated. So how did the narrative around this project go so horribly wrong? And what lessons can it offer for the ambitious projects of today?The nine episode series is produced by GBH News in partnership with PRX.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Apr 29, 2026 · Source feed

  1. 11

    Highway Teardown Tour | 9. Philadelphia, PA

    Even as cities try to heal the damage of the interstate era, we are also continuing to expand our urban highways, continuing to turn parks and neighborhoods into new lanes and new off-ramps. So why is it so hard to stop?Guests: Inga Saffron, Daniel Pearson, Leslie RichardsRecorded at The Pen & Pencil Club with support from Miles Bryan and Tom Grahsler

  2. 10

    Highway Teardown Tour | 8. Baltimore, MD

    This episode is about a very different kind of teardown – one that came suddenly, tragically, and without warning. But within this utterly unique story there are some universal questions about how we build for the present and the future.Guests: Johnny Olszewski, Samantha Biddle, Wambui Kamau, Arkia Wade, Klaus PhilipsenRecorded live with WYPR at the Baltimore Museum of Industry.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

There is a cynicism that hangs over the topic of American infrastructure – whether it’s high-speed rail or off-shore wind – it feels like this country can’t build big things anymore. No one project embodies that cynicism quite like what Bostonians call ‘The Big Dig.’ Infamous for its ever-increasing price tag, this massive highway tunneling effort was once ridiculed as the Big Mess, the Big Hole, the Big Pig, the Big Lie. But now, decades later the story looks more complicated. So how did the narrative around this project go so horribly wrong? And what lessons can it offer for the ambitious projects of today?The nine episode series is produced by GBH News in partnership with PRX.

HOSTED BY

GBH News

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Big Dig have?

The Big Dig currently has 2 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Big Dig about?

There is a cynicism that hangs over the topic of American infrastructure – whether it’s high-speed rail or off-shore wind – it feels like this country can’t build big things anymore. No one project embodies that cynicism quite like what Bostonians call ‘The Big Dig.’ Infamous for its...

How often does The Big Dig release new episodes?

The Big Dig has 2 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to The Big Dig?

You can listen to The Big Dig on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Big Dig?

The Big Dig is created and hosted by GBH News.
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