NYC infrastructure fascinates me, but I don't understand why it costs so much...undoubtedly has to do with how poorly the MTA works (and that it's heavily influenced by politics).

The only reason I would potentially use East Side access in the future is to get from Grand Central to JFK via Jamaica (I have zero plans to live on Long Island in the future). As a UA flyer now, it has zero impact on me otherwise.

Lastly - Wikipedia says current completion time is now September 2023. I sure hope that when they finally (if ever) start on the replacement tubes under the Hudson for Amtrak/NJT, they do it a heck of a lot faster - it is far more needed there.