Stephen Jacob Smith examines how high emotions, grand designs, poor negotiating, and "extreme politicization" drove the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to build the world's most expensive train station in Lower Manhattan.
The Port Authority has been very good at one thing in the last decade: spending money.
"One World Trade Center, born the Freedom Tower and taken over by the Port in 2006, will be the most expensive office building in the world. The 'Vehicle Security Center,' an underground tour bus garage and road network serving the World Trade Center complex, may very well be the most expensive parking garage in history," notes Smith.
"And then there’s the PATH station to New Jersey, the most troubled project at one of the world’s most troubled construction sites. At $3.74 billion, plus another $200 million in contingencies, the 'Transportation Hub' at the World Trade Center—not even the busiest station in the Financial District—will be far and away the most expensive train station built in modern history."
"When the grandiose ambitions and the emotions of 9/11 met with the famously flush Port Authority, disaster struck," says Smith. "Mission creep, an inattentive governor and extreme politicization sent costs skyward, eventually outstripping even the record-setting resources devoted to it."
FULL STORY: PATH/Fail: The Story of the World’s Most Expensive Train Station
NYC Secures Funding for Midtown Bus Terminal Replacement
The aging Manhattan transit terminal, the world’s busiest, will receive a $10 billion revamp and expansion.
Historic Fresno Train Depot Will Become Part of HSR Station
The 150-year-old building will see new life as a retail space as part of a flurry of new development along the upcoming high-speed rail line.
Groups File Suit Over Penn Station Redevelopment
A coalition of community groups claims that current plans are designed to benefit developers and don’t guarantee improvements for transit riders.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)