>I'm convinced, if they contract this out to first-tier construction firms from oversea that specialize in underground infrastructure (e.g. Europe, Japan, Korea

>I'm convinced, if they contract this out to first-tier construction firms from oversea that specialize in underground infrastructure (e.g. Europe, Japan, Korea), they can get the job done at 1/3rd the cost. No, they can't, unless the US somehow temporarily makes NYC Japanese territory for the duration of the project. Any foreign firm would still be stuck with the same laws, and the same politicians and other corrupt people, that are in position today and prevent efforts at economical construction.