No, not Dallas.
The project has an *affectionate* nickname (note sarcasm) - 2 words, 3 letters each. The last 2 letters of each word are identical.
The project has been ongoing for over a decade, and right now it is believed that it will be all done by 2005 (but I won't hold my breath for it).

One more hint:
This US city was very much in the news spotlight just last month due to an event held there.

Thanks for the hint.

It's Christian Menn.

Big dig is the project (Boston).

It's interesting -- for some reason this just escaped me completely. I've never read about it, and I even know people in Boston. Also I e-mailed a friend who's familiar with Boston the clue and he hasn't written back.

Having lived in Boston for 8 years during the big dig years, it sure is a huge annoyance. I did return to Boston for a visit last year, and the bridge does look nice, esp when lighted at night.

I wonder why I've never even heard about it. Looks like a major gap of knowledge in my part.

This should be easy.

Clue: This novel (3 words, 5, 3, 9) has one of the most famous opening lines ever penned. It sets the stage for the rest of the novel and a very crude summary of the opening line is basically that every rich guy wants to marry.

Give the author as well (4, 6, 5th = e).

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Yes.

Let's start a new thread. Thanks, yk.

This thread continues here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34524664