07-12-05
Contact: Paul Griffo
Telephone: (202) 366-4043

 The Bush Administration today awarded nearly a billion dollars to the states of New York and New Jersey to be used for transit projects in and around the World Trade Center site.  The $899 million total marks the second installment to help pay for work to rebuild the transit system destroyed by the September 11, 2001 attacks in Lower Manhattan, according to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta. 

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) received $478 million to construct a security center for the southern World Trade Center site.  The security center will screen all vehicles for security threats and will be a vital component to the World Trade Center Master Plan.   A second grant for $221 million has also been awarded for the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) terminal.

The New York State Department of Transportation will use an additional $200 million grant to rebuild the World Trade Center segment of Route 9A/West Street from West Thames Street to Chambers Street.

“These funds are critical to keep projects moving,” Mineta said.  “The grants are proof of the President’s commitment to rebuilding Lower Manhattan,” he added. 

“A world-class transportation system is vital to the rebirth of Lower Manhattan,” said FTA Administrator Jennifer L. Dorn.  “We are working with Governor Pataki, Mayor Bloomberg and our other partners in the redevelopment effort to restore Lower Manhattan as an inviting gateway to the World Trade Center and a first class 24-hour live-and-work community.”

To date, the Federal Transit Administration has awarded over $3.86 billion for Lower Manhattan recovery projects out of the $4.55 billion appropriated by Congress.  That amount includes $2.95 billion, awarded for initial projects identified by the State of New York.  Those projects included the permanent PATH terminal, Fulton Street Transit Center, South Ferry terminal station, as well as first phase of the Route 9A/West Street project.