The NYC MTA is undertaking a massive cash-toss project to extend a subway tunnel under 2nd Avenue on the Upper East Side. This project was originally proposed in the 1920's. A few small sections of it was built in the 70s, though nothing came of this project until the last 10 years. Today, actual construction is underway.

Part of this construction includes the rebuilding and installation of machinery within the 63rd street station.

What's curious though is the size and scope of the work being performed here. What was a complete entrance/exit was completely gutted - with huge amounts of flooring and ironwork removed in order to accommodate... what? I'm sure an answer to this question is freely available, buried in MTA planning documents - but it seems like such a waste.

Well, waste or not, I ought not complain. For I love the NYC Underground, and a day spent poking around a huge underground construction site as vast as this one is never a waste for me.