Meltdown

At East Side Access, a rock face loaded with dynamite is primed for a blast that will clear a crossover tunnel space for the Roadheader. At the last second, a meltdown at Grand Central Terminal causes the blast to be delayed, leaving undetonated powder in the tunnel wall. All work at East Side Access grinds to a halt while the sandhogs wait for permission to shoot. Meanwhile, frustration builds on Martin and Ryan’s 7-line subway line gang. Already plagued by technical difficulties, they find undetonated dynamite from a previous blast lodged in the rock face. These “bootlegs” are one of the biggest threats any Sandhog crew can face, and prevents them from drilling and blasting. Back at East Side Access, veteran walking boss Billy Orr—who witnessed a failed attempt to use the Roadheader five years before—leaves this site for a traditional drill and blast job in the Bronx. Finally, the Roadheader arrives at the staging area. If it works, it will change the face of Sandhogging at this site.