Ep 3. Subways in America

In Extreme Engineering season 1 episode 3, titled "Subways in America," the focus is on the history and modern-day construction challenges of the subway systems in the United States. Throughout the episode, viewers are taken on a journey through the evolution of subway systems, from the first subterranean train systems in New York City and Boston to the development of bullet trains in California.

The episode begins with an overview of the unique challenges that subway builders face when constructing in a dense urban environment. With millions of people living and working in close proximity, it's no surprise that building a subway system in an established city is a herculean task. Nevertheless, the engineers working on these projects are determined to overcome these obstacles and provide reliable and efficient public transportation for millions of people.

The episode then dives into the early days of New York City's subway system, covering the challenges faced by engineers in the late 1800s to construct tunnels deep under the city's existing infrastructure. The show covers the initial construction of the subway system, from blasting through bedrock to the installation of the iconic tile walls that are still present in many stations today.

Viewers are then taken to Boston, where the challenges of constructing a subway system in a city built on slushy landfill are explored. It's explained how Boston's Green Line was built on top of a pre-existing surface route, requiring skilled engineers to navigate tunnels and stations to avoid interfering with the traffic above. It's also fascinating to learn how engineers found innovative solutions to prevent subway tunnels from filling up with water and collapsing.

The episode then shifts to the present day, where viewers are shown the most recent developments in subway construction, namely the creation of bullet trains in California. Known as the California High-Speed Rail project, the train is designed to help connect major cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. The show offers detailed insights into modifications to bridges, tunneling systems, and other aspects that enable these high-speed trains to cut travel time significantly.

Throughout the episode, Extreme Engineering provides a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most complex public transportation projects in history. It's fascinating to see how technology has improved over the years, giving builders the tools they need to overcome obstacles that might have seemed insurmountable just a few decades ago.

Overall, "Subways in America" is a fascinating look at the history of American subway systems and the incredible engineering feats that have made them possible. Viewers who are interested in the history of public works projects or curious about how large infrastructure projects are built will find this episode to be both informative and entertaining.