Baseball icon immortalized. This is the story of the Ted Williams Tunnel Plaque. This plaque commemorates Ted Williams. He was a Boston baseball legend. The Ted Williams Tunnel itself opened in December 1995. Williams himself attended the dedication.
The Ted Williams Tunnel Plaque marks the entrance to a major Boston thoroughfare. This tunnel is named after the famed Red Sox player and Marine aviator. Two bronze reliefs honor Williams. They stand at each tunnel entrance. These were dedicated in 1995.
Think about the Big Dig. The Ted Williams Tunnel was the first major part of this project. It was the third tunnel under Boston Harbor. It followed the Sumner Tunnel and the Callahan Tunnel. The Big Dig was controversial. It became the most expensive highway project in U.S. history.
Consider the challenges. The Big Dig faced delays and cost overruns. There were leaks and faulty designs. Substandard construction occurred. Criminal arrests happened. Sadly, one motorist died. The project finished nine years late in 2007. The final cost was about $22 billion. It is not expected to be paid off until around 2038.
Imagine driving Interstate 90. You might catch a glimpse of the Ted Williams Tunnel Plaque. It is right in the middle of the highway. It is hard to see while driving. The best way to view it is when traffic is light or in a traffic jam. Ironically, the Big Dig aimed to ease these jams.
Robert Shure of Skylight Studios created the plaques. Besides the large reliefs, miniature plaques were made as trophies.
So next time you’re near the Ted Williams Tunnel Plaque remember its story. It is a tribute to a sports hero. It is also a reminder of Boston’s complex engineering history.