How did the Austin City Council find themselves locked in a ‘death match’ over what to do about Interstate 35? Two councilors and two journalists talk through the fraught politics of so-called highway caps. 

Guests: Megan Kimble, Nathan Bernier, José “Chito” Vela, Mike Siegel

Recorded live at the KUT Festival in Austin, TX.

Highway Teardown Tour | 5. Seattle, WA

“This is a town where there are three pastimes: politics, sports and revenge.” The town is Boston.Seemingly dry topics become gripping political dramas in this Peabody Award winning show from creator Ian Coss and GBH News. Each season of “The Big Dig” uncovers a different facet of society – infrastructure, gambling, food, healthcare – together the pieces connect to tell the story of modern America. Season 1: "The Big Dig" The highway project known as “The Big Dig” is infamous – a shorthand for government failure – but it all started as one engineer’s dream to correct the wrongs of the past, and its legacy is far from simple. Season 2: "Scratch &amp; Win" America’s most successful state lottery – and its greatest innovation, the scratch ticket – all starts with mafia bookmakers and state bureaucrats going toe to toe in a battle to own the future of gambling. Season 3: "Catching The Codfather"A fishing tycoon is arrested in an elaborate sting operation, but claims he’s the real hero fighting back against the state.Season 4: "Mitt &amp; Ted, a healthcare story" Mitt Romney and Ted Kennedy began their political journeys on opposite sides of the healthcare issue, and they ended once again on opposite sides, but for a brief period in the middle they worked together to pass a groundbreaking law – one that promised to finally transform the politics of American healthcare – the law known as Romneycare. So what brought this odd couple together, and what ultimately pulled Mitt and Ted apart?--------------CREDITS:Host &amp; Creator: Ian CossExecutive Producer: Devin Maverick RobinsProducer: Isabel HibbardStory Editor: Lacy Roberts Contact us as thebigdig@wgbh.org