Boston's Central Artery (MA) (Images of America)

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, Boston­s Central Artery tells the story of the highway­s construction and of the neighborhoods that it destroyed. The book is a vivid document of an era when roadways tore through the nation­s 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.