If I were to ever leave the world of software, I would want to become a civil engineer so I could design and build projects like these. The maze of tunnels, access ways, pits, support piping and machinery amazes me every single time.<p>The freezing the ground technique was also used (pioneered?) on Boston's Big Dig for the tunnel under the Amtrak train lines. They also changed the supports for I-93 going through the North End, just like this project did, though I think it was on a larger scale due to the use of the slurry walls they first constructed.<p>The other massive works project that's been going on for decades in NYC is water tunnel #3 [1]. It's been going since 1970 and is scheduled to finish in 2020. It will be the longest tunnel in the world at 60 miles (97 km) when it's completed.<p>[1] <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_Water_Tunnel_No._3" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_Water_Tunnel_No._...</a>
This is really cool, I was unaware of it prior to this article. For those like me who were hoping for more info about the project, the wikipedia entry is pretty good:<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Side_Access" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Side_Access</a><p>Update:
Just found <i>weekly</i> photo status updates too -- wish all the larger government projects did something like this!<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtacc-esa" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtacc-esa</a>
I ride into grand central every morning to work and it never ceases to amaze me. Dozens of platforms underground for departing and arriving trains, all built 100 years ago under Manhattan. Coming down the Park Ave tunnel you can glimpse the old 59 street station that's now just an emergency exit and its all so damn cool.
The Gotthard Base Tunnel is also pretty impressive - under the Alps from Switzerland to Italy, at 57km it'll be the long rail tunnel in the world:<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotthard_Base_Tunnel" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotthard_Base_Tunnel</a>
Whenever I see a US worksite I'm always surprised by the state of work wear. Strapped on hobby lights, cotton based jeans and hoodies, insufficient pockets, substandard florescents etc.