East Side Access is the MTA’s largest capital project, spanning three boroughs with over 8 miles of new or refurbished tunnels and over 40 miles of new track containing 96 switches. With work on the new 8-train terminal expanding 160 feet below Park Avenue in Manhattan, the more than 1.5 million cubic yards of excavation has created two 1100-foot-long terminal caverns that could each fit the Chrysler Building laid on its side. This is the first expansion of the Long Island Rail Road in over 100 years and a critical component of LIRR’s modernization that will give riders direct access to the East Side of Manhattan, ease crowding in and around Penn Station, and help meet the demands of Long Island’s growing population.

Open House New York invites you to a construction tour of East Side Access with Paige Biancamano, Director of Communications & Community Outreach, MTA.

Please note: Due to security restrictions, all guests will be required to submit a copy of their identification in advance to participate in this tour. More information will be provided with reservation. Participants must wear appropriate footwear such as work/construction/hiking/rain/snow boots that have treaded soles and high ankle coverage or support. Waterproof boots are ideal. Attendees without appropriate footwear will not be permitted on the worksite. Appropriate attire for this tour includes clothing that participants do not mind getting wet or muddy. Shorts, athletic pants, skirts, sleeveless shirts, and dresses are not considered appropriate attire. All participants will be required to ascend and descend at least 15 flights of stairs. There are no restrooms on the job site, so visitors should use public restrooms in Grand Central before arriving for the 2-hour tour.