Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers, vol. LXVIII, Sept. 1910 The New York Tunnel Extension of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The East River Tunnels. Paper No. 1159

Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers, vol. LXVIII, Sept. 1910 is a technical document from the early 1900s that serves as a collection of papers centered on significant engineering achievements, particularly the East River Tunnels built for the Pennsylvania Railroad's New York expansion. Aimed at civil engineers and construction experts, it dives into the methods and groundbreaking approaches utilized in building these underwater tunnels. James H. Brace, Francis Mason, and S.H. Woodard's paper kicks off with an overview of the challenges and means of construction implemented during the East River tunnels project. The paper covers contract specifics, digging strategies, material handling, city planning considerations, and the groundbreaking employment of shields and compressed air. It particularly emphasizes the expenses for labor and the construction processes. The paper thoroughly describes the engineering practices of that period and important lessons learned from the long development process.