1. In planning these massive undertakings like an interstate highway system or the Big Dig should the focus be on the short-term realities of meeting schedule or budgets or the longer-term realities of building a better ecosystem? Does it matter if a project is over budget if the benefits far exceed the cost as they did on the Big Dig. The cost of the Big Dig was $14.8 B , while the benefits were determined to be close to $52B.
2. Why does Fred Salvucci the mastermind behind the idea for the Big Dig describe the Interstate System as a brilliant idea? How could that methodology be used to build a High Speed Rail across America with California High Speed Rail to be the first major step.
3. How does the life cycle of a megaproject defined by FHWA as $1B or more differ from a smaller project? What are the characteristics that contribute to its complexity?