One of the subtle pleasures of commuting–and life, I suppose–is when a construction project finally ends and a stretch of sidewalk finally returns to its previous form, instead of the labyrinthian maze you previously had to navigate to get from A to B.

Similarly, there’s that scaffolding hovering over your office building for six months or so. When you first step outside after it’s been taken down and get the full scope of the vista, it’s like how I’d imagine coming out of LASIX eye surgery.

So I was pleased to see the massive construction project under the sidewalk on Park between 36th and 37th finally wrap last week after, oh, eight months or so. Pedestrians, including the thousands each day en route to Grand Central, were diverted through a maze that included walking through a narrow passageway on Park Avenue South, with a flimsy 2 by 4 barrier separating you from traffic.

I had a unique connection to the construction project. Every last bit of equipment involved in it was stamped with the JUDLAU logo; when I was much younger, I lived across from the guy who started the construction behemoth that is JUDLAU. It was named for his wife (Judy) and his daughter (Lauren). I’d babysit for Lauren and her baby brother, and Judy would pay me. They had cable when no one else did.

Anyway, the JUDLAU project finally finished. I figured it went late, because it was only some pipes under the sidewalk, and Judy would usually come home later than expected in the babysitting days. When there is cable, that is hardly a problem.

I love the full expanse of the sidewalk, and not having to walk inches from traffic. Only problem is, there’s a foul steam that comes out of the grates the length of the sidewalk. New York is, of course, famous for the steam that comes out of the underground like a fuming Satan; you always see tourists taking snapshots of what looks like nothing, but upon closer inspection turns out to be street steam.

But this is no ordinary New York steam. This steam smells awful and fogs up your glasses. It fills your nostrils and lungs and instantly makes you think you’re inhaling something Very Bad. I tried walking a few feet to the side of the grate yesterday, and still got a faceful of the stuff.

I don’t know what the Mole People are cooking down there. But it sure doesn’t smell very good.