On Friday, the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Board of Commissioners awarded the largest contract to date for the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, which will allow a critical portion of the major transportation facility to be built that will eventually serve more than 200,000 commuters.  The contract came in on budget.

The $542 million contract was awarded to Skanska USA Civil Northeast Inc./Granite Construction Northeast Inc./Skanska USA Building Inc. It calls for the construction of the PATH Hall in the World Trade Center site's West Bathtub, as part of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub project. The work includes construction of four rail platforms and the installation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; plumbing work, fire protection, architectural finishes, and ADA compliance measures.

Last April, the Port Authority modified its contract with Phoenix Constructors JV — which had been the general contractor and construction manager on the Transportation Hub project — to allow the agency to bid out all future Hub contracts separately in order to take advantage of a highly competitive market. This change in procurement strategy resulted in today's contract award coming in on budget, and follows the successful award of the Greenwich Street WTC Hub package. That contract came in 28 percent under budget.

Importantly, the contract is consistent with the schedule outlined in the October 2008 World Trade Center Report and includes a "deck-over" solution for the construction of the PATH Hall roof to make it possible for the Memorial Plaza - part of which sits on that roof - to open in time for the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Previously, the Board awarded a $338.8 million contract to DCM Erectors to furnish, fabricate and erect 22,305 tons of structural steel for the World Trade Center Transportation Hub. The amount of steel awarded for the Hub project is equivalent to the entire weight of the USS New York (the Navy's new ship), or almost twice the amount of steel used for the new Yankee Stadium.

Port Authority Chairman Anthony R. Coscia said, "This award ensures our continued progress on construction of the Transportation Hub, which will serve more than 200,000 people every day, and is critical to meeting our commitment to open the Memorial Plaza on the 10th anniversary."

Port Authority Executive Director Chris Ward said, "This contract keeps this world-class facility on schedule and on budget, and will help ensure we keep our commitment to opening the 9/11 Memorial on the 10th anniversary. We look forward to continuing the momentum on this key public transportation project, which will serve 200,000 commuters per day, provide service on the PATH system, connect 13 different subway lines, link the World Financial Center and the ferry system, house world-class retail and more."

The Board also authorized a Memorandum of Understanding with the New York City Police Department to provide traffic enforcement agent services to maintain the safe and efficient movement of vehicles around the perimeter of the World Trade Center site.

The following actions also were authorized by the Board:


    * A contract for the installation of utilities, interim sidewalks and roadway surfaces at Fulton, Greenwich and Liberty streets.

    * A Memorial Foundation trade contract with PJ Mechanical for all heating, ventilation and air conditioning system work for the World Trade Center Memorial Museum Pavilion.