In December, GlobeSt.com reported that a $544-million project proposed by Pataki and then-acting New Jersey Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco would restore PATH service to Lower Manhattan. Less than two months later, a $300-million contract is in place that will expedite the process, with work on a temporary Downtown PATH station due to start in three weeks and completion expected in less than two years.

The contract, which was awarded to a partnership of Tully Construction, Yonkers Contracting Co. and A.J. Pegno Construction, also includes repairs to two PATH tunnels under the Hudson River, expansion of the Exchange Place PATH station in Jersey City, and the building of new crossovers that will allow PATH trains to cross between tunnels at Exchange Place. The new crossovers allow the Exchange Place station to become operational within 18 months, which will help Manhattan-bound commuters to access ferries to Lower Manhattan prior to the reopening of the WTC PATH station.

"This contract represents the first major step in the reconstruction of Lower Manhattan and a milestone in New York City's recovery from Sept. 11," Pataki said Thursday at a press conference. "On December 13th, I announced that we would move swiftly to restore full mass transit access to New York City's financial district. The Port Authority has expedited this program, and work will start within three weeks. The temporary PATH station at the WTC site represents the first step in a long-term program that will lead to a better transportation network to help revitalize the New York City economy."