WTC transportation hub by santiago calatrava in progress

construction on santiago calatrava’s WTC transportation hub making headway
image courtesy of the port authority of NY & NJ

headway is being made on the construction of santiago calatrava‘s world trade center (WTC) PATH (port authority trans-hudson) transportation hub in new york. having submitted his proposal for the project 10 years ago, the spanish architect has received heat for the cost of the building since its submission, which has now reached more than $3.44 billion USD as a result of the increase in steel prices; for which the structure is primarily made. however, the port authority of new york and new jersey has approved the increased budget for the scheme conceived to serve over 200,000 daily commuters, along with millions of global visitors annually, improving mass-transit connections in the region significantly when completed in 2015.

the first of 114 rafter fins being installed on the WTC transporation hub’s oculus
image courtesy of the port authority of NY & NJ

the design, which is an expression of santiago calatrava‘s signature skeletal structures, features distinctive retractable 150-foot-high, glass and steel ‘wings’ that allow natural light to pass through the rail platforms, down 60 feet below street level. this ‘bird in flight’ (as it has been nicknamed) is constructed from over 11,000 tons of specially composed structural steel to full build the WTC transportation hub.

‘the building is built with steel, glass and light. they will all be equal building materials. the station appears transparent, and also guards you with its wings.’ – santiago calatrava

(left) steel arch segmans and upper portal steel on the west side of the oculus being erected
(right) construction on the WTC transportation hub’s upper mezzanine level for retail use
images courtesy of the port authority of NY & NJ

the multi-storey transit hall has been developed to reference the style of grand central terminal and incorporates a lower concourse, an upper (balcony) concourse, a public waiting area and first-class retail amenities. the signature highlight of the ‘hub’ is its oculus, which actually facilitates the transportation center’s distinctive wing-like appearance. the upper portion of this section serves as the main concourse, housing 225,000 square feet of multi-level retail and restaurant space along all halls, vying to be a destination location and centerpiece for the entire lower manhattan district.

construction on the WTC transportation hub as of november 2013
photo by joe woolhead, courtesy of silverstein properties

in addition, PATH facilities and services include three full-service extended 10-car platforms, along with another set in place to accommodate service needs and 5 tracks. offering full accessibility, a network of underground pedestrian connections from lower and upper concourses will connect to new york city transit subway stations, and the proposed MTA fulton street transit center through the dey street corridor. travellers by foot will easily access locations on and around the greater WTC site including: five WTC office towers, memorial and museum, hudson ferry terminals, world financial center, PATH trains, 13 subway lines and proposed JFK rail link.

one of the rafter fins going up (september 2013)
photo by joe woolhead, courtesy of silverstein properties