NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document
he September 11th attacks destroyed critical portions of the Lower Manhattan trans
portation system, compounding existing deficiencies and jeopardizing the area's sustain
ability as a central business district. By rebuilding the transportation network — restor
ing service, eliminating deficiencies, and anticipating future needs — Lower Manhattan can lay
the foundation for its revitalization.
Investments in Lower Manhattan's transportation infrastructure should be aimed at accommo
dating the rapid pace of 21st Century commerce and ensuring that our downtown remains well
positioned among its international rivals. In addition to being the financial capital of the world.
Lower Manhattan is home to the fastest growing residential area in New York City, with thou
sands of new housing units constructed in the last decade. Downtown is the center of New York
City's government, the location of several educational institutions, and the site of many new and
established cultural institutions. Lower Manhattan's prominence in a number of contexts draws
a variety of people from a variety of places, making transportation central to its growth and vitality.
Although Lower Manhattan contains many significant transportation assets, most date back to
the pre-World War I era. The events of September 11th struck a devastating blow to this already
outmoded system. Going forward, millions of visitors are expected to visit the World Trade
Center memorial that is currently in development — straining the capacity of the system still
further. It is time to restore downtown's aging and damaged transit infrastructure, and, in the
process, assist Lower Manhattan in achieving advanced technological standards. Clean and effi
cient rail stations, real-time passenger information systems, modern bus facilities, improved
vehicular circulation, and enhanced above- and below-ground pedestrian connections are vital to
the accomplishment of this objective.
Chapter 1; Restoring and Renewing Lower Manhattan’s Transportation Infrastructure 17
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