Funds From the Feds

In Washington, Salvucci and his allies had to ask a popular Republican president for enough money to build the largest and most complex highway project in American history. Elected on a vow to cut excessive government spending, Ronald Reagan vetoed a transportation bill containing funding for Salvucci's plan. Boston's forces, led by House Speaker Tip O'Neil (a Massachusetts Democrat) had to override the veto, or the entire project would die. Senate Democrats pressured North Carolina Senator Terry Sanford to cast the tie-breaking vote that overturned the President's veto and gave a green light to the Big Dig.

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A Tale of Two Rivers

How engineers contained and controlled the Colorado and Mississippi rivers.

Electric Nation

Thomas Edison lights up New York City; Sam Insull brings power to Chicago; and TVA electrifies rural America

Bridging New York

Constructing the George Washington Bridge

The Big Dig

Putting a major highway under Boston