Roads were widened, six new subway lines were opened, 4, 000 extra taxis were let loose on the road, fresh paint was slathered on buildings, truckloads of flowers were put up, city lights were upgraded and the capacity of the Hongqiao International Airport was increased by 60%.

BBC: Shanghai after the World Expo

New York has 26 subway lines, 490 stations and 660 miles of subway track.

CNN: New York subway system on alert

With less than 200 days to go before the Beijing Olympics, China's capital appears on schedule to finish work on its new hotels, stadiums and subway lines.

NPR: Beijing Races to Clear Its Skies Before the Olympics

Transit and port officials in New York and New Jersey were on heightened alert at bridges, tunnels and on rail lines between the two states, as well as on New York City's subway system and commuter rails.

WSJ: Security beefed up worldwide after Boston blasts