Originally Posted by
PsiFighter37
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.
Not solely on MTA management but building on a Island which consists of the most expensive real estate in the US - drives up cost.
In most cities there is sprawling outward, NYC is the only city in the US where you can only build vertically.
The system is very old and building under the manhattan street, in bedrock and other natural materials drives the costs up as you got to navigate building foundations. I know many building foundations had to be secured, prior to actual underground work commencing.
Most new cities systems are largely dedicated ROW at grade systems. All of the lines in Manhattan with exception to a small portion of the IRT are below ground. In a densely populated city that costs.
I never thought I would see the 2nd Avenue subway run, and I doubt I'll live long enough to see the full line run.