NYC should stop building subways with tunnel boring. Instead, tear up the street, build the darn thing and then rebuild the street over it. This method is called cut and cover and it's what many countries do because it's substantially cheaper and faster:
Imagine if the 2nd ave line was done this way - sure you'd get a lot of pissed Upper East Siders, but their property value is going to skyrocket from the project anyway. As far as I'm concerned, they could deal with a year of inconvenience instead of getting it built over decades for magnitudes of money more.
Of course, the City Council would never agree to this plan. It's easier for them not to disturb anyone if they want to be re-elected...
https://ny.curbed.com/2017/9/19/16335068/nyc-subway-mta-stat...
Imagine if the 2nd ave line was done this way - sure you'd get a lot of pissed Upper East Siders, but their property value is going to skyrocket from the project anyway. As far as I'm concerned, they could deal with a year of inconvenience instead of getting it built over decades for magnitudes of money more.
Of course, the City Council would never agree to this plan. It's easier for them not to disturb anyone if they want to be re-elected...