Boston's Central Artery (MA) (Images of America) [Paperback]

Yanni K. Tsipis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 20, 2001

Fifty years ago, the Central Artery snaked its way through Boston, destroying century-old neighborhoods and bustling commercial districts in the very heart of the city. Designed to open Boston's downtown to convenient car and truck access, the highway cut a two-mile-long gash through the nation's oldest and most historic city, destroying or casting a shadow over some of its most architecturally significant buildings. By the time the Central Artery was completed in 1959, many former supporters had already realized that it was a colossal mistake. Drawing on recently uncovered Massachusetts Department of Public Works archives and numerous other sources, Bostonís Central Artery tells the story of the highwayís construction and of the neighborhoods that it destroyed. The book is a vivid document of an era when roadways tore through the nationís downtown centers and displaced thousands of residents and businesses along the way. Written by an engineer-historian, Boston's Central Artery will appeal to not only those fascinated by the history of Boston but also those interested in urban history, architecture, and construction.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Yanni Tsipis was educated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge in the civil engineering and urban planning departments. His research papers examining various aspects of Boston's physical infrastructure have won widespread acclaim. A frequent guide of walking tours of downtown Boston, with an emphasis on the history of the city's physical infrastructure, he is a member of the Bostonian Society and the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (February 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738505269
• ISBN-13: 978-0738505268
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,896,028 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Central Artery helps you understand The Big Dig, April 8, 2002

By 

Jim Allegretto (Everett, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boston's Central Artery (MA) (Images of America) (Paperback)

As a Bostonian who has driven the Central Artery for at least 20 years this book was very enlightening. Completed in 1959 a year before I was born it (the artery) was intended to be only a very small part of a much bigger road plan. It was designed and mostly built before the 1956 interstate plan was put in to place by President Eisenhower. Even if it weren't overloaded daily with too much traffic the actual speed limit is only 35mph. Certainly not interstate material.
This book shows in pictures the community the central artery diplaced. The upheaval it caused and why the people of Boston rose up to revolt against all future hiway construction. Although some projects were still completed against the people's will, mainly the Massachusetts Turnpike and the I-93 connection through Somerville, MA.
The book even tells of some interesting state of the period de-icing equipment in the road bed that "fell in to disuse" as well as a 'South Station Tunnel' control room that also met the same fate. It is amazing to read about the dreams the people of 50 years ago had for a project that is now an inadequate, ugly, rusting hulk that will soon be a part of Boston's history.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellant!!!!!!!!, April 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Boston's Central Artery (MA) (Images of America) (Paperback)

I love the book very much. The photographs are very excellant and history of the Boston Central Artery construction pre Big Dig Construction. Bye Bye Green Monster Central Artery after I93 Southbound opened on 12/20/2003.