ABSTRACT
The Port Authority of NY & NJ Downtown Restoration ProgramJerrold Dinkles, P.E., Engineering Program Manager, Downtown Restoration Program The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
Presented: Wednesday, May 12
10:45 am
The Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) Transit System is a key component of the New York Metropolitan Area's transportation infrastructure, carrying thousands of travelers between New York and New Jersey on a daily basis. On September 11th, 2001, the Lower Manhattan PATH terminal was severely damaged and rendered inoperable, adding to the already monumental devastation to the area.
Recognizing the terminal's importance to Lower Manhattan's economy, the Port Authority quickly implemented a "fast track" program to construct a Temporary PATH Station at the site of the former World Trade Center, restore the suddenly-flooded tunnels that linked the terminal with New Jersey, and improve New Jersey's Exchange Place station to operate as an interim terminal that would encourage usage of the system. These three projects represented the first phase of the overall program for redevelopment of the World Trade Center site.
With speed of the PATH restoration as a major concern, a project construction contract was awarded well before the design would be completed. While the design was still being developed a series of work orders packages were issued to advance construction. This approach expedited the restoration of service: Exchange Place re-opened in June 2003 and Lower Manhattan service returned on November 23, 2003-one month ahead of schedule- with the opening of the Temporary WTC PATH Station. Both projects are considered highly successful and significant achievements.
Now that these initial projects are completed, the Port Authority has turned its focus toward the second phase of the program: the planning, design and construction of a Permanent WTC PATH Terminal and requisite improvements to the World Trade Center site.
In his presentation, Engineering Program Manager Jerrold Dinkels, P.E., details a chronology of the work accomplished to date and examines what remains to be completed. Mr. Dinkels will also discuss the urban planning and transportation studies that led to the formulation of a master plan for future development at the World Trade Center site.
The Port Authority is partnering with numerous city and state agencies other public and private stakeholders, to address Lower Manhattan's developing transportation infrastructure. This collaboration involves developing a fitting memorial for those who lost their lives on September 11th. Mr. Dinkels will also discuss the concepts for some of these plan elements, namely the Permanent WTC PATH Terminal.
