1. Phase 2A In this slide show: Grand Staircase & Under Jackson Plaza February 5, 2011

2. Future station entrance from S Jackson Street across the new public plaza to the main waiting room via the Grand Staircase.

3. The grand staircase, shown here, will be restored before it is open to the public.

4. The beautiful, original marble walls are in good condition.

5. Top of grand staircase looking north across what will be the plaza towards the S Jackson Street.

6. Looking east on the first level just south of the edge of the plaza above.

7. The new elevator shaft takes shape.

8. A view of the grand staircase from underneath on the first level.

9. This rigid steel wall running north-south provides shock absorption during earthquakes.

10. A closer view of the steel shear wall that is part of the seismic structural upgrade.

11. A view from the southwest corner of the first level.

12. Facing northwest on the first floor below the plaza. Black drainage pipes run along the ceiling.

13. This north wall on the first floor is made of concrete bricks and supports the plaza above.

14. This massive shear truss is anchored in a grade beam foundation below. See earlier photos of this element before the floor was poured.

15. Mechanical room below the plaza. Mechanical room form below plaza.

16. The north wall on the first floor below the plaza facing east. Alternative view of plaza north wall.

18. Northeast corner of the first floor looking out on the tracks.

19. View out to east track through large window openings. View out to east track through large windows opening.

20. Wide view of the entire first floor below the plaza facing south.

21. structural steel The light cracks in from 2nd Ave. S Ext. above. Soon the plaza will merge with the sidewalk closing the gap.

22. Temporary supports await the permanent connections between the northeast corner of the plaza and the sidewalk.