Downtown buildings a fitting 9/11 tribute.

As New York City prepares to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on September 11, two spectacular downtown construction projects are beginning to rise from the ashes of the stricken site.

Last week, construction on the first phase of the $750 million Fulton Street Transit Center got underway.

And yesterday (Tuesday), a ceremony was held to mark the start of work on the World Trade Center Transportation Hub.

Both projects will play a pivotal role in not only transforming the city's transportation infrastructure, but in their contributions to the iconic architectural significance being emphasized in the downtown rebuilding program.

The Santiago Calatrava-designed transportation hub--scheduled for completion in 2009--will reconnect and expand links between the PATH system, all downtown subway lines and the World Financial Center Ferry Terminal via underground passageways.

Although a main contractor has yet to be selected by the Port Authority, spokesman, Steve Coleman, said Beaver Concrete Construction Co., of Brooklyn, would be carrying out the initial work on a retaining wall to guard the new tracks that will be installed. That work will take approximately four months.

Coleman said "various calling contractors" retained by the PANY/NJ will work on other phases of the project due to begin in October and November. He added that the Port Authority hoped to have a general contractor in place by October.

Designed by international architects, Grimshaw, the central feature of the Fulton Street Transit Center is a 110 foot glass and steel dome that rises high above the underground hub and funnels daylight deep below street level. But while spectacular in look, the transit center is being hailed as the key to unraveling a maze of downtown subway lines.

Construction of the project is being managed by the MTA's Capital Construction Company and, once complete in 2008, the center will connect virtually every mode of transit in Lower Manhattan.

At a special ceremony to mark start of construction last week, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the center will make access to the streets and the station platforms, and transfers from line to line, simpler and more convenient for hundreds of thousands of people every day.

The Dey Street concourse is the first of several elements to start construction as part of the overall project.

Other elements include the renovation of the Fulton Street 2/3, 4/5 subway stations, creation of new street entries, construction of a new entry building and incorporation of the restored historic Corbin Building into the Center, a feature that will create a dramatic entrance to the subways on John Street.

The complex is currently a jumble of subway lines and passageways built by competing transit companies in the early 20th century that are difficult and confusing to navigate. Adding to the confusion are passengers transferring among the lines who are distributed unevenly on platforms, creating boarding and service delays, particularly on the busy Lexington Avenue 4/5 lines.

Above ground, the subway entrances will be corrected to provide relief to the congested sidewalks. The 2/3 and southern portions of the 4/5 station rehab are expected to be completed in 2006, and the Dey Street concourse will be open in 2007. When fully completed in 2008, the Fulton Street Transit Center will provide improved facilities for the over 275,000 daily riders.

Governor George Pataki said, "This project fulfills the promise we made to the business community after 9/11--to make getting around downtown easier and more seamless.

"In addition to dramatically improving travel into and out of the nation's third largest central business district, this project will make the complex accessible to the disabled and will ensure Lower Manhattan's rightful spot as the financial capital of the world." Association for a Better New York chairman, William C. Rudin said the transit center plays a "critical role" in the area's ongoing redevelopment. "Transportation infrastructure is of the highest priority in order to keep Downtown's competitive advantage."

And Ric Clark, president of Brookfield Properties, which owns most of the World Financial Center, added, "The connectivity and accessibility of Downtown's critical transportation lines is a very important step in the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan. The Fulton Transit Center will be invaluable in allowing the business community to tap into one of Downtown's inherent advantages, extensive subway services."