Boston Central Artery/Tunnel Project (Big Dig)

[Sim shady 12]

great to hear from you blahdy ! looking forwards to the next update!

[tommiej 0]

is good Blahdy, i'm really looking forward for the next update!! take your time, details (as you should know) are the most importent for the total look of the structure

[blahdy 21]

Here is a quick straight off-ramp model i put together in gmax, so beta testers can complete a underground network for full CJ testing before public release.

This off-ramp is a fictional one, based off of mixture between Storrow Drive/Leverett Circle off-ramp and I-90 South Boston ramps.  It is 5 tiles long instead of 4 tiles; the gradual and more realistic descent to underground provided by 1 additional tile is well worth it in my opinion.  There are some texturing issues remaining, but here is what it is so far:

[Kippis05 2]

hey blahdy, I was watching this thread pre-1.0 release, and not to be pushy or anything, but do you have any idea at this point when Big Dig 2.0 will be available for public release?

Thanks.

Kippis

[blahdy 21]

Kippis05:  First set of 2.0 public release is currently tentatively scheduled for christmas.

[blahdy 21]

Here are some stand-alone signs that are being worked on for big dig 2.0.

1. Ground highway truss sign #1 (recommended for use on approach segment of ground highway before big dig transition.  it's not realistic to use blue rounded pipe signs everywhere)

2. LCS-only blue rounded pipe sign.  Modelled after south bay interchange approach.  Use this in places where not enough signs are covering the length required for LCS installations.

3. Street sign: use it only in downtown streets/roads/avenues near a big dig ramp to direct drivers into highway system.  Both blue and black gantry systems are available.  In RL, blue gantry versions are used in Cambridge approach to Leverett Circle, Leverett Circle area and North End/Haymarket.  All downtown signs are black gantries.

 

[Alfred.Jones 2]

Those signs look awesome Blahdy. I cannot wait to see them in-game, they would look amazing! Great work as always mate

[simzebu 20]

Now there's the highway signs I'm used to! Don't get me wrong, the others are nice, but, as you said, they don't look right everywhere.

[Yoman3 5]

I'm guessing those last two are the ones I'm going to Lot to fit my DT.  I can't use that quick straight off ramp in my DT though because of that piece of concrete behind the tunnel portal. Doesnt look good with my grass areas. I can wait until later ramps though. They all look great though. Nice work again my friend!

[blahdy 21]

lol yoman3, you gonna have to get used to it unfortunately.   the buffer zone behind the tunnel head is something of a new concept that's going to be used more often to improve realism

check out Windows Live Local btw of South Boston, several tunnel entrances have a little bit of buffer behind them with concrete plate surrounding it, even if there is grass around.

simzebu: yup, thanks   I'm also going to make one w/o the LCS signs for plain highway use.

[blahdy 21]

Here is new on-ramp based on the above ramp for highway interchange use only (i'll show usage pics when it's available for beta testing.)  This on-ramp probably won't be available for beta test until at least 2007 though unfortunately (too busy, not enough resources here, etc).

In order to provide smooth transition in a highway interchange setting, this ramp does not have the directional arrows painted on the road surface, and does *not* have an entrance sign that tells drivers where this tunnel is leading to. 

Recommended uses for this on-ramp: 

- Highway interchange: i.e. off-ramp on elevated highway, then one-way shooting straight into this on-ramp for getting onto an underground highway.

- Seaport/Airport access tunnels/interchanges

- Harbor/river/channel crossing tunnel portals

Not recommended for use in:

- Downtown

- Non-highway interfacing areas (this ramp does not have entrance sign)

[crazychickensc12 84]

looking good blahdyn awesome modelling!! can't wait to get some more of these in testing !

[K1A 0]

hey can you do some generic roadway signs without those lane control lights?? that would be very awesome because those signs are the best ive seen anywhere

[blahdy 21]

 crazychickens12: thanks, i can't wait to see these in TRV also

K1A: yes, they are planned and will be worked on soon.  i think you'll be pleased with some of the 'generic highway' stuff that will be coming along with big dig project in the very near future.

Also a quick trivia hour.  To show off how accurate the big dig 2.0 project is and the amount of attention to detail that goes into every modeling achievements, take a look at these two pictures of the Atlantic Ave. ramp (the hallmark of big dig 2):

Real-World Version:

BAT version:

Compare and contrast the two pictures thoroughly and you will start finding out how similar the two pictures are even in little details such as placement of specific concrete slab, camera, power box, etc.  If you pay much attention as I do, you will probably even grab couple minor differences

[nycsc4 5,250]

that looks amazing!!! can't wait for the beta release!!

[MiniMark 7]

Wow bladhy that looks so life like ! Great work

[blahdy 21]

I tried to get started on BATting the Elevated Rail <-> Subway transition that sits right next to Leverett connector on-ramp but the existing model just won't fit the elevated rail model at all.  So the Leverett connector on-ramp had to be refurbished to make it up to date with latest design standards.

The old existing Leverett connector on-ramp that's in beta will not be deleted/removed, it will be offered as a fictional, short 4-tile long on-ramp instead.

The new refurbished model below is a bit more accurate and has longer dimension to permit elevated via-duct BAT to overhang slightly into the ramp.  The elevated rail via-duct will be BATted in the near future, now that the ramp foundation is completed:

Real world picture:

Satellite picture showing placement and dimensional configuration:

Gmax viewport shot:

The elevated rail transition will be FUN to BAT :-)

[Menotyou 0]

Those are amazing!

[K1A 0]

in reply to the answer of my question, thats awesome i cant wait to see em!!

[blahdy 21]

and... completed night light

[Dexter 41]

Those look great! I fact, they are too good for Simcity 4s low res fixed angle graphics.

Is it at all possible for you to release a left drive version for left hand drive games (reversed only).

Other than that my sims have to reach out of the window to see the signs , they look great!

[blahdy 21]

Originally posted by: Dexter Those look great! I fact, they are too good for Simcity 4s low res fixed angle graphics.

Is it at all possible for you to release a left drive version for left hand drive games (reversed only).

Other than that my sims have to reach out of the window to see the signs , they look great!

quote>

Thanks for your comment!

As for left hand driving, ILL Tonkso is working on a British version (Birmingham Queensway), complete with European styled road paintings and signs.  So that might be probably more accurate, since Big Dig is fully focused in US systems at this time.

[szarkoz 8]

If you will make that el-rail to subway transition, please make sure it is at least 5-6 tiles long (if that's possible). I always complained that those transitions are way to steep.

[blahdy 21]

it will be at least 7 tiles long, probably 8.

[tommiej 0]

nice work blahdy!! my internet was of for a couple of days so i missed the last updates, but i looked at them an two words: Totally Awesome!!, i also nominated you for most techinacal achievement or some kind.... because i think you deserve it!!!!

keep it up Blahdy, keep it up!!!!!!!

[richiedamien 0]

Some day ill give it a try on Boston map, has it was my favorite in simcity 3000!

Great Work!!! easyer thing's are still to be done, but this hard task has been taken!! Never thought that in this version could be possible to made the "Big Dig"!

Congratulations!!!

I just have one question, and im sorry if it has already been answered! But i dont have much time to be at the net!

Question:

Is it possible to cross the tunnel from a city to another?

...simplifiyng (has i dont know if my english is understandable)

begin a tunnel in one city and end it in another city, without interruptions?

Keep going has its some of the best work i have seen at this site, combining skills like pacience, realism, functionality and others!!

[simzebu 20]

Yes, it is. I've done it myself. It works well.

(And your English is better than that of some native speakers I know)

[blahdy 21]

tommiej: Thanks, I'm flattered to be nominated by community users for Trixie '06; much appreciated!

richiedamien:  Thanks for the compliments.  As for your question, simzebu has answered it for you-- you use subway to construct the tunnels themselves, so it is possible to make a tunnel-based intercity connections.

PROJECT RELEASE SCHEDULE UPDATE

Many people have been waiting for this news for a long time I believe;  But we have our first release cycle information available for you.

The Big Dig 2.0 project elements will be released in phases, instead of all at once approach, because it will take forever to get everything done.  The SET #1 will be released first, and its public release date is currently scheduled for Christmas, that is as long as we can custom-LOD and mod these models quickly enough on schedule (we are seriously short on manpower to get anything done here, so talented modellers, and long-time BATters familiar with transit network modding and complex LODs are welcomed to PM me to offer any assistance).

SET 2 and SET 3, etc and so on will be released in 2007, release dates for them have not been scheduled yet.  And also scheduling is always subject to change, however you will be notified of schedule changes to keep everyone informed.

Here are current release schedules:

SET1 Release Schedule

Estimated Public Release: 12/25/2006

Project Components:

Name/Info	Part No.	Dimensions	Notes
Straight On-Ramp 1 (Fictional, Blue Gantry Version)	BIGD-T1X-ONR1	1x4	In Beta Testing
Straight On-Ramp 1B (Fictional, Black Gantry Version)	BIGD-T1X-ONR1B	1x4	In Beta Testing
Atlantic Ave. I-93 NB On-Ramp (B/PB-ModernContinental; CA/T Contract No. C17A6)	BIGD-C17A6.A-CN	2x7 Moderately Curved	In Progress
Straight Off-Ramp 1 (Fictional)	BIGD-T1X-OFR1	1x5	In Progress

SET2 Release Schedule

Estimated Public Release: Q1 2007

Project Components:

Name/Info	Part No.	Dimensions	Notes
Essex St. I-93 NB On-Ramp (Refurbished Dewey Sq. Tunnel Ramp; CA/T Contract No. C17A6/Chinatown)	BIGD-C17A6.R-T	1x6	In Progress
Leverett Connector I-93 SB On-Ramp (B/PB-ModernContinental; CA/T Contract No. C19E7; MBTA-CA/T Joint Project)	BIGD-C19E7.LC-S	1x5	In Progress
Highway Interchange On-Ramp 1 (Fictional)	BIGD-T1X-ICO1	1x5	In Progress
Airport Taxiway Underpass (Fictional; Joint AC/RMIP-B/EB Project.  Will be released by RMIP2-LargeAirportEdition project, not Central Artery/Tunnel)	BIGD-AC3.LTU-1	Unknown	Under Preliminary Design

SET3 Release Schedule

Estimated Public Release: Unknown

Project Components:

Name/Info	Part No.	Dimensions	Notes
Fulton St. Off-Ramp via I-93 NB (B/PB-ModernContinental; CA/T Contract No. C17A2)	BIGD-C17A2.CN-SA	1x7	In Progress
Gov't Center/North End Off-Ramp via I-93 SB (B/PB-ModernContinental; CA/T Contract No. C17A2)	BIGD-C17A2.CS-SA	2x7 Heavily Curved	In Progress
Bridge-on-Tunnel Stack On-Ramp (Fictional)	BIGD-T1X-BNR1	Unknown	Redesign
South Boston Haul Road Off-Ramp C via I-90 EB (B/PB-ModernContinental; CA/T Contract No. CO1A3)	BIGD-CO1A3.C	Unknown	Under Preliminary Design

SET4 Release Schedule

Estimated Public Release: Unknown

Project Components:

Name/Info	Part No.	Dimensions	Notes
Haymarket/Cross St. Avenue Transition (B/PB-ModernContinental; CA/T Contract No. C15A1)	BIGD-C15A1.ST-SA-X	Unknown	Waiting on Massachusetts Turnpike Authority to finish construction of the real-world version.
South Boston Vent Building 5 (B/PB-ModernContinental; CA/T Contract No. CO1A3)	BIGD-CO1A3.VB5	2x5	In Progress
South Bay IC, Albany St. Off-Ramp and I-93 SB Tunnel Portal (B/PB-ModernContinental; CA/T Contract No. CO9C2)	BIGD-CO9C2.I93-SSB	Unknown	In Progress

[vester_DK 477]

Wow a christmas gift, this is sure going to be a good christmas.

[nycsc4 5,250]

this is amazing!! can't wait for Christmas!!

but what about the Bridge?...