How long did it take to build the NYC subway?
The construction of the New York City Subway is a fascinating tale of engineering brilliance, spanning four years from 1900 to 1904. This monumental project aimed to ease the severe congestion on city streets caused by rapid population growth. The subway's first line, stretching 9.1 miles from City Hall to Harlem, opened on October 27, 1904, revolutionizing urban transit and shaping the city's future.
Who was the chief engineer of the first New York subway?
William Barclay Parsons was the chief engineer behind the first New York subway system, a pioneering project that transformed urban transportation. Appointed in 1894, he designed the original plan for the Interborough Rapid Transit subway, which opened on October 27, 1904. His innovative approach to overcoming engineering challenges set a precedent for future transit systems worldwide.