SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Pastimes : NNBM - SI Branch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: altair19 who wrote (26618)5/29/2003 8:25:16 AM
From: Clappy  Respond to of 104157
 
I watched a show in TLC or Discovery last night about the
Big Dig in Boston. The show was called Extreme Engineering
or something like that. This week's episode showed how
much planning and problem solving has gone into the massive
civil engineering feat of putting Interstate 93 under
ground.

Incredible.

The ideas were amazing.

I can't fathom that they actually did what they did.

One stretch of the underground highway was tunneled
underneath existing highway, an underground bus station,
and subways without disturbing service...

Another stretch of ground had soft clay passing under a
large railroad yard. So what they did was install tons of
refrigeration to freeze the ground. Then they tunneled
under the frozen ground which held up the trains and track.

They propose to tear down the existing stretches of
elevated highways and convert the land under it to miles of
parks and plazas. It should be nice if it actually
materializes.

Have you driven in any of the new tunnels?
Have they removed any of the old highway?

How long has the Ted Williams tunnel to the airport been
open? It seems that was one of the earlier stages of the
project.

There appears to be 7 ventalation buildings and they can
redirect air flow away from traffic should there be a fire.

It certainly seems to be an engineering marvel.
Hopefully terrorists will not use it as a target.
One truck with enough explosives could knock out the
highway and rail system in one blow and do some serious
flooding. Probably something not a ton of thought went
into when designing back in the safe 80's. Or maybe they
did. They sure used a lot of steel and concrete...

That is a pretty fancy looking suspension bridge with the
cables supporting it. What was it named? Larry Bird
Bridge? <g> It is nice looking. I don't think I ever saw
it before.

I think I remember something about the Big Dig starting
back in '86 when I took a drunken road trip with a van load of
buddies from college. One Tuesday night we went out to a
bar one night and upon returning to the dorms one guy
said, "How cool would it be to wake up in Boston
tomorrow?!"

"LET'S DO IT!" was our reply. 6 hours later in mid hangover
we found ourselves there. Did the walking tour of the
historic places, visited Quincy Market (I think it was
new), and drove by Fenway and The Bull and Finch Tavern
(Bar from Cheers).

That has been my only trip to your fair city.
Really enjoyed it.

I sort of remember something about the big dig but didn't
fully understand what was going on until last night.

Has it been a nightmare for commuters? Or has it just
become commonplace after a while...

-Clapping



To: altair19 who wrote (26618)5/29/2003 4:57:51 PM
From: elpolvo  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 104157
 
19str-

My concern is primarily the rink.

no problem mon, we're going to have the world's
first teflon hockey rink.

The Altair's are heading to Korea for 10 days on the 28th of June. We are joining a group that specializes in taking Korean adoptees and their families to Korea to learn more about their birthplace, history and culture. These folks do an amazing job. I am looking forward to it as is Altair18.

i appreciate, admire and honor people like you and poet
who adopt children. it takes a very generous couple to do
that. it's one of the kindest acts you can do for the
planet - especially if the child is from another culture -
it helps integrate the human family. thank you and thank
mrs. 19. i'm glad you get to go to korea in that kind of
a setting - such a great time you all will have connecting
and sharing.

and to poet: thank you too lady!

-polvo