BOSTON -- U.S. Sen. John Kerry jumped the gun a little when he said that the Big Dig would be completed when the Democratic Convention comes to town in 2004. But officials said that much will be done by then, including a major change to the way drivers get to the airport.

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NewsCenter 5's Jack Harper said that the new Interstate 93 northbound is scheduled to open in January next year. Although the entire central artery will be underground, turnpike officials said that it will not be a typical tunnel.

"The point that we also need to make for the public is if you notice the width of the tunnel, we're not driving in a standard tunnel, where you've got the rounded walls and you feel like you're in a confined space," Turnpike Authority Chairman Matt Amorello said. "This is the same road width as Interstate 495 or 95."

When I-93 north opens, there will be only four chances to exit the highway for city connections. Motorists will also no longer be able to get off at the Callahan Tunnel to drive to the airport.

"You won't be able to get into the Callahan anymore from northbound in the tunnel system or above ground," Amorello said. "It will require people adjusting to that new decision when they're coming from the south of the city to go to Logan Airport."

Those coming from south of the city will use the Ted Williams Tunnel to get to the airport. The Callahan Tunnel will only be used by drivers coming from north of the city.

When leaving the tunnel, motorists can chose to go north or south. Going north will take them over the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, right by the FleetCenter, where the Democratic Convention will be held.

"You're going to have a lot of congressmen and U.S. senators and governors coming to look at this project and marveling at it and saying, 'Why not us? Why aren't we building the same types of facilities in our city?'" Amorello said.

The plan is to start removing the old elevated highway in May 2004. Amorello said that because the convention is now coming, workers will probably begin removing the highway near the FleetCenter first.

Although most of the project is on schedule, Amorello said the one wild card is the work of Hunnewell, which is installing "smart" technology along the highway that allows the Turnpike Authority to monitor it for accidents or other safety concerns. Amorello said he will know within a week or two if Hunnewell is on schedule.