Embedded Files
"For Boston has been seriously ill for many years, suffering from a traffic congestion that has been choking her. And now it is as if she has had her tonsils removed so she can breathe more easily and get rid of the troubles that have been causing the traffic congestion from which she has been suffering."
-A. J. Philpott
1930
In April of 1930, the route posed by the Boston Transit Commission for a new tunnel, connecting the North End to East Boston. The plan for such a tunnel had been discussed since as early as 1867, and it was a big day that this route had finally been approved by Mayor James Curley. The budget was initially posed at $16,000,000, about $4,000,000 of which was designated to buy up the 500 homes on 153 parcels of land which would be destroyed for construction. The North End entrance to the tunnel was established to be at Cross Street, which would be widened, and a traffic circle was to be installed to facilitate automobile traffic in and out of the tunnel. However, state legislature did not pass the plan in 1930.
1931
Mayor Curley, who was a large proponent for this plan, visited Chicago in April of 1931. He was thoroughly impressed by the city's park systems and through streets. This trip bolstered his determination to pass the plans for the widening of Cross Street. His plan was to follow Chicago's model of wide and passable through streets.
Image from the Boston Globe, April 17, 1930. "Traffic Tunnel Route Approved".
1932
Massachusetts Senate met in May of 1932 and discussed the Haymarket Bill, which would secure funding for the city of Boston to begin construction in the Haymarket/Cross Street area, and supplement work on the East Boston tunnel. There were strong feelings on both sides of the debate, and some senators pushed to postpone the judgement, which was denied. Many believed that the passage of this bill was in the best interest of the people of Boston, and if this immediate bill, which outlined a $3,000,000 loan for the city of Boston, was not passed, a more expensive bill would ultimately be drafted and passed. By the end of this session, the plan for this construction was passed by Senate.
Debates regarding the funding for construction in the North End and construction of the tunnel continued over the following week, and the initial bill was amended by Senator Wragg. A sinking fund of $16,000,000 was approved to fund the tunnel, and an additional $3,000,000 sinking fund was allocated for construction and improvements for streets approaching the new tunnel.
1933
After much struggle to pass through the Massachusetts government, the plan for the East Boston tunnel was finally being enacted. By June of 1933, 39 parcels of land had been taken by the city to accommodate the construction. Among the residents of Salem Street who lost their homes to this project were:
“Bertha Carp. et al, 40-46 Salem St, 56 Cross St, $44,500”
“Benjamin Starr et al, 51 Salem St, $28,000”
“Henry Heller, trustee. 47 Salem St, $21,4000”
“Abraham P. Levin, 43-45 Salem St, 60-62 Cross st, $34,500”
1928
Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library. Philadelphia: G. W. Bromley & Co. 1928. Atlas of the City of Boston.
1938
Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library. Philadelphia: G. W. Bromley & Co. 1938. Atlas of the City of Boston.
The impact of this project on 4-56 Salem Street is shown in the maps above -- Cross Street has been widened to 80 feet across, which has removed 40-46 Salem Street.
References
"CITY HAS TAKEN 39 PARCELS FOR ROADWAY FROM CHARDON ST TO NEW TUNNEL ENTRANCE." Daily Boston Globe (1928-1960), Jun 02, 1933. https://holycross.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=cas&url=https://www-proquest-com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/historical-newspapers/city-has-taken-39- parcels-roadway-chardon-st-new/docview/847642629/se-2?accountid=11456.
"Classified Ad 2 -- no Title." Daily Boston Globe (1928-1960), Oct 18, 1933. https://holycross.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=cas&url=https://www- proquest-com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/historical-newspapers/classified-ad-2-no-title/docview/757559164/se-2?accountid=11456.
"HAYMARKET BILL VOTED IN CLASH: SENATE HEARS CHARGES BY FISH, WARREN AND OTHERS ON TUNNEL APPROACHES MEASURE." Daily Boston Globe (1928-1960), May 10, 1932. https://holycross.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=cas&url=https://www-proquest- com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/historical-newspapers/haymarket-bill-voted-clash/docview/757978475/se-2?accountid=11456.
Philpott, A. "MAKING BOSTON OVER TO FIT THE TUNNEL: YOU'D NEVER KNOW THE NORTH END AFTER ITS BOMBARDMENT BY BUILDING WRECKERS--AUTOISTS WILL BE ABLE TO TRAVEL ON SPLENDID NEW HIGHWAY FROM HANOVER ST TO SAUGUS WHEN ENTIRE $16,000,000 PROJECT IS COMPLETED." Daily Boston Globe (1928-1960), Oct 08, 1933. https://holycross.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=cas&url=https://www- proquest-com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/historical-newspapers/making-boston-over-fit-tunnel/docview/757535239/se-2?accountid=11456.
Sibley, Frank. "GETTING READY TO BORE $16,000,000 TUNNEL UNDER THE HARBOR FROM EAST BOSTON TO THE NORTH END: ALREADY THEY ARE TEARING DOWN BUILDINGS AS A START OF A PROJECT WHICH HAS BEEN DREAMED OF FOR 70 YEARS--THE MAKING OF BOSTON'S LATEST "WORM HOLE" A BIG ENGINEER TASK--"DECOMPRESSION" CHAMBERS WILL HAVE TO BE PROVIDED FOR THE DIGGERS, AS IF THEY WERE DIVERS." Daily Boston Globe (1928-1960), Dec 07, 1930. https://holycross.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=cas&url=https://www-proquest- com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/historical-newspapers/getting-ready-bore-16-000-tunnel-under-harbor/docview/758014336/se-2?accountid=11456.
Special Dispatch to, the Globe. "CROSS-ST WIDENING URGED BY CURLEY: MAYOR'S COMMENT AFTER CHICAGO INSPECTION HE SAYS LEGISLATURE SHOULD PASS MEASURE NEXT YEAR." Daily Boston Globe (1928-1960), Apr 20, 1931. https://holycross.idm.oclc.org/login? auth=cas&url=https://www-proquest-com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/historical-newspapers/cross-st-widening-urged-curley/docview/757998875/se- 2?accountid=11456.
"TRAFFIC TUNNEL ROUTE APPROVED: PORTALS TO BE IN CROSS AND PORTER STS 500 FAMILIES TO LOSE HOMES--REALTY COST $4,000,000 20- FOOT ROADWAYPROVIDED, ALL IN STRAIGHT LINE." Daily Boston Globe (1928-1960), Apr 17, 1930. https://holycross.idm.oclc.org/login? auth=cas&url=https://www-proquest-com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/historical-newspapers/traffic-tunnel-route-approved/docview/758255973/se-2? accountid=11456.
"TUNNEL APPROACH FINANCING UP TODAY: TWO HAYMARKET SQ SINKING FUNDS--WARNER FOUND FIRST PLAN UNCONSTITUTIONAL." Daily Boston Globe (1928-1960), May 17, 1932. https://holycross.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=cas&url=https://www-proquest- com.holycross.idm.oclc.org/historical-newspapers/tunnev-approach-financing-up-today/docview/757978967/se-2?accountid=11456.
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