From: johnl@iecc.com   
      
   >I remain at a loss why the subway itself, only a two track line, costs so   
   much money and is taking so   
   >long.  I don't know comparable costs to building the IND, adjusted for   
   inflation, but I can't help but   
   >suspect that Second Ave is costing many times as much.  Admittedly, it   
   probably has better fire   
   >safety, handicapped access, and brighter lighting than the IND originally   
   had, but that still can't   
   >account for the differnetial.  But, as said, I don't know the gory details.   
      
   I believe that most of the IND was cut and cover, while most of 2nd   
   ave is bored tunnel, largely through rock.   
      
   I'm also guessing that the buildings along 2nd Ave now are larger and   
   more valuable than the ones along IND routes in the 1930s, so the   
   costs if they're damaged are greater, and the abutters' attitudes are   
   likely different.  How happy were the IND's neighbors to have it built   
   vs. the 2nd ave neighbors?  The latter seem to view it as a huge   
   inconvenience and imposition, even though once it's running they'll be   
   unable to imagine how they ever lived without it.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)