Zachary Stieber is a senior reporter for The Epoch Times based in Maryland. He covers U.S. and world news. Contact Zachary at zack.stieber@epochtimes.com
A machine near the southern end of the project's first phase. (Patrick Cashin/Metropolitan Transportation Authority)
NEW YORK—The Second Avenue subway is one of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s five mega projects. The project, currently at $4.5 billion, is underneath the surface of the Upper East Side in Manhattan, a densely populated place. Rarely does anyone other than workers go down to see what’s happening.
The following photos offer a glimpse of the activity that takes place in the caverns and tunnels that are slated to carry many New Yorkers via a new subway line beginning in 2016. Eventually—though without funding now—the new line will run from 125th Street all the way down to Hanover Square, connecting with already existing lines along the way. For now, the first phase will run from a new station at 96th Street to the existing Lexington Av/63 Street station.
The cavern and two tunnels at the southern end of the 72nd Street station cavern, looking south. (Patrick Cashin/Metropolitan Transportation Authority)A group of workers underground. (Patrick Cashin/Metropolitan Transportation Authority)A tunnel between 63rd Street and 69th Street. (Patrick Cashin/Metropolitan Transportation Authority)A map of the Second Avenue Subway (blue line), none of which is currently operating. The first phase, under construction, runs from 96th Street south, looping into the existing Lexington Av/63 Street station. Funding for the rest of the project (three more phases) isn't in place yet. (MTA)A worker. (Patrick Cashin/Metropolitan Transportation Authority)Workers tunneling at the southern end of the project's first phase, between 63rd Street and 69th Street. (Patrick Cashin/Metropolitan Transportation Authority)Workers at the southern end of the project's first phase, between 63rd Street and 69th Street. (Patrick Cashin/Metropolitan Transportation Authority)The 72nd Street station cavern. (Patrick Cashin/Metropolitan Transportation Authority)This shaft near 63rd Street allows workers to enter the project from street level. (Patrick Cashin/Metropolitan Transportation Authority)
See pictures of the project from earlier this year here.
See pictures from a recent tour of the South Ferry station, which was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy, here.
