William Francis Callahan (June 12, 1891 – April 20, 1964) was a Massachusetts civil servant who served as Commissioner of Public Works and Chairman of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority from 1952 until his death in 1964.[citation needed] Callahan proposed the idea of an authority originally named Boston-Springfield Highway Authority which was renamed to the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.[1]

William F. Callahan
Callahan in the 1960s
Commissioner of Public Works
In office
1934–1939
Preceded byFrank E. Lyman
Succeeded byJohn W. Beal
In office
1949–1953
Preceded byWilliam H. Buracker
Succeeded byJohn A. Volpe
Chairman of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority
In office
1952 – April 20, 1964
Preceded byFirst
Succeeded byJohn T. Driscoll

Callahan developed the Master Highway Plan for Metropolitan Boston, which included the Southwest Corridor project. The Callahan Tunnel is named after his son who was killed in action during the Second World War. Callahan died in Newton-Wellesley Hospital as a result of suffering a heart attack in his home.[2] He died on April 20, 1964, in Massachusetts.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90)". www.bostonroads.com. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  2. ^ "CALLAHAN FUNERAL ATTENDED BY 1,000 (Published 1964)". The New York Times. 1964-04-24. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  3. ^ "Callahan Funeral Attended by 1,000". New York Times. April 24, 1964. Retrieved 2009-12-11.