Damage to the Subways from the World Trade Center Attack


The stations in the vicinity of the World Trade Center were affected by the collapse of the towers on September 11, 2001. The following table describes the conditions at these stations. All dates are in 2001 unless noted otherwise.
Station Name
Lines Served
Status
Notes
Chambers Street
A/C
Open, closed 9/11/01-10/1/01
World Trade Center
E
Closed to passengers from 9/11/01 until 1/28/02, used for relaying trains since 9/26/01.
Enterences into the "frozen zone" remain closed
Cortlandt Street
1, 9
Closed indefinately, will not reopen later this year with the rest of the line but will be rebuilt as part of the downtown transportation center. Currently, trains are operating through the station shell.
Tunnel and station collapsed in several different places, concrete wall sealing off tunnel from "WTC Bathtub", line will need to be rebuilt. Even if the station were in a condition in which trains could serve it, there are no enterances or exits for passengers to use.
Rector Street
1, 9
Open, Closed 9/11/01-9/15/02
Tunnel and station collapsed in several different places, concrete wall sealing off tunnel from "WTC Bathtub", line will need to be rebuilt. Even if the station were in a condition in which trains could serve it, there are no enterances or exits for passengers to use. Reopened, 9/15/02
South Ferry
1, 9
Open, Closed 9/11/01-9/15/02
While this station sustained no damage, since no trains could operate to it, it had remained closed. Because the 1 and 9 stations leading to this one require rebuilding, this station may be expanded to handle 10 car trains. The MTA opted not to extend 5 or 6 trains to the station. Contrary to popular belief, the gap fillers will work with redbirds if the stop marker is realigned. Trains could have stopped at Bowling Green, switched to the inner loop, switched to the outer loop, make the South Ferry stop, switched back to the inner loop, and then stopped again at Bowling Green and headed north. The reasons this was not implemented were track capacity issues if the 6 were extended and available cars if the 5 were extended. Also, the Whitehall Street Station on the N and R was reopened on 10/28, reducing crowds at Bowling Green.
City Hall
N, R
Open, closed 9/11/01-10/28/01
No damage sustained
Cortlandt Street
N, R
Open, Closed to passengers 9/11/01-9/15/02, trains were bypassing the station 10/28-9/15/02
Damage sustained, temporary supports were erected to allow trains to slowly pass the station. Station reopened 9/15/02.
Rector Street
N, R
Open, closed 9/11/01-10/28/01, some enterances are still closed
Whitehall Street
N, R
Open, closed 9/11/01-10/28/01
No damage sustained
World Trade Center
PATH Trains to Hoboken and Newark, NJ
Open, closed 9/11/01-11/23/03
Station sustained damage in collapse as well as flooding of the tubes about halfway to New Jersey. One 7 car train is stuck in the station, cars 143 and 160 are part of the train. Nobody, dead or alive, was found in the station. Four cars are not damaged, three are. Plan is to build new terminal at the old Hudson Terminal site with connections to more subway lines in the downtown area such as the 2, 3, 4, and 5. Open-air station with no amenities opened November 23, 2003 in same configuration as old station.
Exchange Place
PATH Trains to Hoboken and Newark, NJ
Open, closed 9/11/01/01-6/29/03
While the station is in Jersey City, the lack of a turnaround between this station and WTC forced its closure. Passengers had to use the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail from Pavonia/Newport during the shutdown. No damage was sustained to this station, even though its eastern wall is against the Hudson River. It served as a temporary terminal following the construction of switches at the west end of the station, and the extension of the platforms for future expansion.


Next: Pictures
Back to New York City


This line has been in operation since