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Slideshow> The Manhattan Tunnels of East Side Access

Slideshow> The Manhattan Tunnels of East Side Access

The MTA has released a new batch of images of the under-construction tunnels for its “East Side Access” project. For the uninitiated, East Side Access is the agency’s $10.8 billion plan to connect the Long Island Railroad with Grand Central Terminal. The project was initially scheduled to be completed by 2009, but, like so many large infrastructure projects, the East Side Access has been delayed. The project is now scheduled to open in 2023. All told, the project is expected to be $6.5 billion over budget.

That was where things stood as of January. Just a few months later, though, there was more bad news for East Side Access. Newsday reported that  11 sinkholes were discovered by the MTA as it was digging in Long Island City.  The holes, which seem to be caused by heavy rain and loose soil, apparently didn’t mess things up too much, however. A spokesperson for the MTA told Newsday that filling the sinkholes did not have a “measurable” impact on the project’s budget or timeline. That’s the good news. The bad news is that more sinkholes could form. In the meantime, construction is moving forward deep underneath New York City. Check out the MTA’s latest photos of the project’s Manhattan tunnels taken on July 29th.


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