Rebuilding New York's Subway After 100 Years

New York City's subway celebrates 100 years with a $2-billion program to improve functionality and aesthetics.

1 minute read

April 13, 2004, 11:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"As they renovate their 100-year-old subway system, New York City’s transit officials are taking a fresh look at how to improve functionality, aesthetics and connectivity. Working beneath the surface, within utilities and around trains that never stop operating, contractors and engineers are improving 468 subway stations within four boroughs, performing technical feats while keeping the trains running... The system's most recognizable station is probably Times Square, now in the midst of a $262-million, eight-year renovation. Twelve subway lines service the sprawling 50,000-sq-ft, five-level station. Reaching 60-ft-depths, it is used by 500,000 people daily in the heart of Manhattan. To ease and increase access to the trains, contractors are widening and creating pedestrian passages, breaking through multiple levels for new elevator/escalator shafts and broadening token booth lobbies." [Editor's note: The article contains several fascinating graphics.]

Thanks to Laura Kranz

Monday, April 12, 2004 in Engineering News Record

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