Photos: Inside The MTA's "Mega" East Side Access Project, Opening In 2022ish
35 photos
Inside the East Side Access's eastern cavern<br>
We begin our tour by the cafeteria in the lower level of Grand Central- this unassuming doorway will one day lead to the massive East Side Access project 150' below street level.<br/>
Here we are entering the concourse level, where there will be retail. Escalators will lead down to the track level.<br/>
Lots of construction workers at all levels of the project– the noise was deafening!<br/>
Here we're looking down the massive concourse– some of this space used to be used for the Grand Central yard (it was called the Madison Yard) where trains would be stored. That yard has been moved to the Bronx.<br/>
Looking down the concourse.<br>
One of many electrical switches in one of many electrical rooms that will one day power the ESA project.<br>
Construction graffiti.<br>
Lots of pipes everywhere!<br>
These huge holes in the floor of the concourse will hold escalators.<br>
Laying pipe.<br>
Another escalator hole.<br>
The tracks in the old Grand Central yard are still being used to move equipment along the concourse– as they finish an area, the tracks are ripped up.<br>
Tracks leading north out of the concourse level– these will be removed.<br>
A more finished escalator cavern leading down.<br>
This concourse is truly humongous.<br>
Lots of shafts.<br>
These pegboards are used to track the construction workers.<br>
Don't litter!<br>
Here we've reached the lower level. There are two massive tunnels dug for the tracks, each holding 4 tracks.<br>
Looking down the east cavern. Note the tunnel holes in the distance.<br>
Hold on to your construction helmet: these huge fans are like aircraft turbines and blow air into the tunnels.<br>
A wrapped tunnel being prepared for lining.<br>
You can see how these tunnels split– here we're on the top level of the West tunnel, looking north. There are two more tunnels directly beneath us.<br>
Descending to the trackbed, 150' below the street.<br>
A construction worker on the mezzanine level.<br>
Construction workers deep below ground.<br>
Looking south along one of the 8 tunnels.<br>
Looking south in the West Cavern.<br>
Looking north in the West Cavern.<br>
The hole on the right leads across to the East Cavern.<br>
Looking south in the East Cavern.<br>
Another shot of the East Cavern.<br>
Lots of pipes!<br>
Come back in 2022 for a much easier commute from Long Island!<br>