WTC site damage assessment map, Sept 21, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Figure 3-8 illustrates subway service and closures as of October 5, 2001. Identified stakeholder agencies include, but are not limited to, the following:

• New York City DOT • New York State DOT • New York State MTA • Port Authority of New York and Nt v Jersey • New Jersey Transit • New Jersey DOT • Battery Park City Authority • Federal Highway Administration

Short-term activities related to emergency response and recovery efforts have severely affected transportation resources in Lower Manhattan. The fires and explosions at the WTC have generated 1.6 million tons of debris, requiring the closure of streets and debris removal operations. The WTC impact area is defined by Chambers Street on the north, Broadway on the east. Rector Street on the south and the Hudson River on the west (Figure 1-3).

Although not the subject of this PEA, debris removal experts have determined that the removal of approximately 1.6 million cubic yards of debris from the site will take approximately 10 months. During this time period; it is expected that much of the area will remained cordoned off for both safety and security reasons, requiring traffic to be re­ routed to adjacent streets. The immediate perimeter area around the WTC has been reduced, as possible, to facilitate better traffic flow.

Interim recovery plans will need to assess the effects of the WTC disaster on regional and local transportation systems, services, facilities and demand. Initial estimates of the impact of the WTC disaster were developed by the NYCDOT and are based on annual average daily traffic (AADT) counts at major intersections. Traffic recorders were set up at 54 different intersections and pre- and post-disaster AADT data were compiled. In general, traffic patterns have changed significantly as a "esult of the WTC disaster. Appendix B provides the AADT data for pre- and post-disaster at 54 intersections throughout New York City (NYCDOT 2001).

Environmental Impacts

Long-range plans to restore facilities and services will require coordination with the City of New York, the State of New York and the State of New Jersey and will result in regional planning for the overall reconstruction proces" and potential changes in demographics and demand on roads, bridges and tunnels (for private, commercial and bus traffic); subway systems; ferry service, commuter railroads, and pedestrian conditions. The FEMA “white paper” titled Transportation Facilities, Services and Travel Patterns ofLower Manhattan Pre/Post September 11, 2001 is incorporated by reference and describes transportation-related impacts associated with recovery actions.

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