World Trade Center (PATH Station) - World Trade Center

World Trade Center

Groundbreaking on the World Trade Center took place in 1966. The site of the World Trade Center was located on landfill, with the bedrock located 65 feet (20 m) below. A new method was used to construct a slurry wall that would keep water from the Hudson River out. During excavation of the site and construction of the towers, the original Hudson Tubes remained in service as elevated tunnels. The Hudson Terminal was shut down in 1971 when a new PATH station was completed. The new WTC PATH station cost $35 million to build. At the time, the station had a passenger volume of 85,000 daily.

The new PATH station opened on July 6, 1971, and was sited at a different location from the original Hudson Terminal. The PATH station platform was slightly longer than its predecessor, accommodating 10-car trains versus the 6-car trains that the Hudson Terminal could handle. The tight turns in the loop into the Hudson Terminal were made less tight in the new station. While construction of the World Trade Center neared completion, a temporary corridor was provided to take passengers between the station and a temporary entrance on Church Street. When it opened, the station had nine high-speed escalators between the platform level and the mezzanine level. The WTC PATH station was served by Newark – World Trade Center and Hoboken – World Trade Center trains.

When the 1993 World Trade Center bombing occurred, a section of ceiling in the PATH station collapsed and trapped dozens. Nonetheless, the PATH station did not suffer any structural damage. Within a week, the Port Authority was able to resume PATH service to the World Trade Center.

The PATH station was connected to the World Trade Center towers, via an underground concourse and shopping center. There were also underground connections to the New York City Subway (A C E N R trains). Prior to September 11, the mall had been leased to The Westfield Group, which intended to rename the mall Westfield Shoppingtown World Trade Center, and embark on a major expansion and renovation program. Plans called for the addition of 200,000 square feet (19,000 m2) of new mall space and a few well-known sit-down restaurants. By 2001, the volume of passengers using the WTC PATH station was approximately 25,000 daily.

Soon after American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 08:46:30 EDT on September 11, 2001, the PATH station was shut down by order from deputy director Victoria Cross Kelly and Richie Moran, who commanded the system at the Journal Square Transportation Center. A train from Newark that came into the terminal at 8:55 am stopped only to pick up passengers. A second train, from Hoboken, came through at 9:00 am but did not stop and returned to New Jersey. PATH sent an empty train to the station at 9:10 am to pick up a dozen PATH employees and a homeless individual leaving the PATH station empty.