As photo ops go, it was an impressive prop: new 50,000-pound steel doors that can be closed shut in extreme weather, keeping floodwaters out of the Midtown Tunnel.

Friday's ceremonial ribbon-cutting marked the completion of a $270 million restoration of the tunnel. And it allowed Governor Andrew Cuomo, at an accompanying event and video presentation, to project the image of master builder.

"We are already pushing ahead with the nation's largest infrastructure program: $100 billion."

It's of course a time-honored tradition for incumbent candidates to use the power of the office to remind voters of their achievements. Cuomo seems to have stepped up his visibility lately. Last week, he held several rallies on the issue of abortion rights. A recent event highlighting a Brooklyn revitalization program seemed to come with its own cheering section, which included union supporters.

Cuomo also has a habit of welcoming prominent elected officials. It can't hurt when they offer lavish praise.

"He has done us proud throughout the United States of America," Queens Borough President Melinda Katz said at one such event.

As for the tunnel projects, which repaired damage from Hurricane Sandy, there's a side benefit sure to make constituents happy: no more night and weekend tube closures.

"We did get the work done as quickly as possible, and it's been done very well, and it's been done on budget," Cuomo said.