PATH tunnels quietly being reinforced
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefSince 9/11 the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey has made it clear it seeks to improve safety and security in all of its operations, including PATH, the bistate railroad the PA operates which also serves New York’s World Trade Center site. PATH’s WTC station was heavily damaged by the attack, which also flooded the tunnel linking the station to Exchange Place Station in New Jersey.
But defense contractors reportedly now are installing reinforced steel metal plates along the interior tunnel walls on the PATH system, along with flood-prevention gates being erected at New Jersey and New York locations affecting PATH’s line to WTC and its uptown branch terminating at 33rd Street in Midtown Manhattan.
The PA reportedly is striving to complete the work before the 10th anniversary ofthe 9/11 attack next September. The PA budget is funding most of the $600 million project, with other funding support from the Department of Homeland Security and the federal stimulus package.
PATH in the past has suffered from flooded tubes due to natural causes, most notably at its Hoboken, N.J., station, which was flooded for several days following a Nor’easter on Dec. 11, 1992.
