Before quitting his job as an engineering technician in New York City's East Side Access tunnel project and starting a career as a photographer, Nolan Conway decided to take some pictures.
It wasn't exactly legal.
During his final days, Conway ignored prohibitions against unofficial photography and captured stunning images of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's $10.8 billion project to bring the Long Island Railroad into Grand Central Terminal. After quitting his job, he snuck in under cover to take even more pictures.
"With these photos I wanted to convey the sense of awe I felt the first time I descended into the tunnels and caverns. This dark, dank space filled with strange machinery and people in filthy clothing felt like an apocalypse. Yet, less than 200 feet away you have the streets of midtown where business goes on as usual," Conway wrote via email.
With Conway's permission, we are debuting his photos and incredible story here.
"When I started this photography series, no photos were allowed in the tunnels by unofficial photographers," Conway wrote via email.
"So I had to pretend I was taking them as a part of my engineering technician job."
"Tools are painted pink to ensure they won't be lost among the debris in the dark areas of the tunnel."
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