Constructing New York's First Subway

At least 7,700 men would be needed to build the Interborough Rapid Transit, or IRT. More

Construction on New York's Interborough Rapid Transit, or IRT, began in 1900. William Parsons, the project’s chief engineer, used a variety of techniques for underwater digging. Sometimes hydraulic shields were used; other times methods were improvised, like digging a trench in the riverbed, then sinking the tunnel roof down on top of it. At least 7,700 men would be needed to build the IRT.

AIR DATE 2/17/97