Port Authority to Construct 9/11 Memorial

NEW YORK---The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation have reached agreement that the Port Authority will construct the Memorial. Construction on the footing and foundations is expected to commence this summer and the project remains on schedule to open Sept. 11, 2009. "The Port Authority assuming the construction of the memorial will create efficiencies and expedite the building of a fitting memorial to all of our lost heroes," Gov. George Pataki said. "On September 11th, the Port Authority of NY and NJ lost 84 employees at the World Trade Center site. The Port Authority will now pay tribute to their heroes and the nearly 3,000 others that made the ultimate sacrifice those fateful days by building the memorial that will honor their lives and tell their stories to the world. The Port Authority made the World Trade Center their home for 30 years. They built the temporary PATH station in just sixteen short months, they are realizing Santiago Calatrava's brilliant vision, and now they will take on this noble task and ensure that nothing stands in the way of the memorial's opening by September 11, 2009, as they build the memorial and memorial museum." The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the WTC Memorial Foundation both held meetings of their boards of directors to approve the agreement. The Port Authority will assume the construction of the memorial and are expected to commence footing and foundations work this summer. Preliminary work on the memorial began March 13. The WTC Memorial Foundation will ensure the completion and integrity of the design throughout the course of construction and will be responsible for operating and programming the site. The Memorial, Reflecting Absence, will pay tribute to those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center, in Shanksville, PA and at the Pentagon, as well as those who perished in the World Trade Center on Feb. 26, 1993. 7-06-06