(rshsdepot) PATH Lower Manhattan & Exchange Place Stations

["Bernie Wagenblast" <brwagenblast_@_home.com>]

PORT AUTHORITY NEWS RELEASE:

Board Action Also Calls for Restoration of Service to Exchange Place
Station,
And Planning for Permanent World Trade Center PATH Station

New York Governor George E. Pataki and Acting New Jersey Governor Donald T.
DiFrancesco announced today that the Port Authority Board of Commissioners
has approved a $544 million program to re-establish PATH service to Lower
Manhattan, easing commuting strains for tens of thousands of people affected
by the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Governor Pataki said that the key to the Port Authority's plans will be the
construction of a temporary PATH Station at the World Trade Center site, to
open within 24 months. The temporary station will be used until a permanent
transportation plan for Lower Manhattan is developed. Before September 11,
the World Trade Center Station, the busiest in the PATH system with 65,000
passengers a day, was one of the principal points of access to downtown
Manhattan and the Wall Street area.

"By moving forward with the rebuilding of the region's transportation
network, we are taking a significant step in the revitalizing of Lower
Manhattan and renewing the spirit of New York," Governor Pataki said. "This
initiative is a major step forward in a long-term program that will result
not only in new and improved public transportation to and from Lower
Manhattan, but also a downtown area that is even stronger and more dynamic."

Acting New Jersey Governor DiFrancesco said, "While the terrorists dealt us
a terrible blow on September 11, they didn't knock us out. We are moving
quickly to rebuild our region, making it as strong as ever. Today's actions
ensure that we have an integrated mass transit system in place for Lower
Manhattan, one that will provide the basis for future development. It also
will provide short-term benefits by offering commuters immediate relief from
congestion caused by unprecedented ridership increases at some PATH stations
and by restoring access to the important office development around the
Exchange Place PATH station."

Acting Governor DiFrancesco said that the Port Authority will reopen PATH's
Exchange Place Station - which serves Jersey City's "Gold Coast" of office
buildings - within approximately 18 months. Necessary track work will be
installed at Exchange Place to allow its operation as a terminal where PATH
trains can turn around. Before September 11, trains reversed direction at
the World Trade Center station. PATH tunnels that link Exchange Place and
the World Trade Center area under the Hudson River also will be
rehabilitated.

The Board also authorized a $10 million planning initiative for a permanent
World Trade Center PATH Station, as well as a $10.5 million planning effort
that will consider World Trade Center site redevelopment options.

The planning effort, underlining the Board's commitment to be a key player
in the restoration of Lower Manhattan, will explore ways to integrate a new
PATH terminal with other mass transit, including New York City subways,
buses and privately operated ferry services. As part of the World Trade
Center site redevelopment planning effort, the Port Authority also will
provide assistance to the Lower Manhattan Redevelopment Corporation, which
is exploring options for an interim memorial for the World Trade Center
site.

Port Authority Board Chairman Jack G. Sinagra said, "The Port Authority's
highest priority is playing a part in rebuilding Lower Manhattan and its
transportation infrastructure. The package approved today by the Board shows
the tremendous resources the Port Authority can bring to bear. We have the
transportation resources, the capital funding and a regional mandate that
allows us to invest in both New York and New Jersey to strengthen the
bi-state transportation system."

Port Authority Board Vice Chairman Charles A. Gargano, who serves as
chairman of the Empire State Development Corporation, said the restoration
of PATH service is an essential catalyst for attracting business and
commercial activity back to downtown.

"While substitute buses and ferries have helped address the immediate needs
of the downtown area, these services are inadequate to support the future
transportation and economic requirements of downtown Manhattan. The Port
Authority's commitment to re-establish PATH service to the World Trade
Center area clearly signals our commitment to help rebuild the downtown
area," Mr. Gargano said.

Acting Port Authority Executive Director Ronald Shiftan said, "PATH is doing
a remarkable job of handling approximately 210,000 passengers a day despite
the closing of two of the system's busiest stations. This program will
reopen a temporary World Trade Center terminal, begin planning work for a
permanent terminal and allow Exchange Place service to resume to one of the
most rapidly growing employment centers in New Jersey. It also will provide
improved access to our uptown stations, which have become key transfer
points for travelers heading to and from lower Manhattan."

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