PATH Commuter Rail Service Reinstated After September 11 Terrorist Attack

A two-year effort to reinstate PATH commuter rail service between New York City’s Lower Manhattan and New Jersey—interrupted by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks—culminated in the opening of a new temporary passenger terminal at the World Trade Center site on November 23, 2003. The opening was marked by the arrival of victims’ families on the same train that carried the last passengers safely away from the World Trade Center before the buildings collapsed. It’s the first public space to reopen within the site.

With resumption of service a top priority of post-9/11 reconstruction, Bechtel’s construction managers helped speed up repairs to the line’s power and communications systems. This contribution, coupled with expedited repairs to Jersey City’s Exchange Place station and a rapid replacement of flood-damaged equipment in the two Hudson River tunnels linking the stations, enabled the reopening a month ahead of schedule, in time for New York’s busy holiday shopping season.

Bechtel also has been asked to help update other aspects of the PATH system.