http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009...wtc_trans.html
After more than three years and $1 billion, Port Authority backtracks on WTC transit hub, again
BY Douglas Feiden
April 24th 2009
After more than three years and $1 billion, the Port Authority is again reinventing the way it will build the troubled transportation hub planned for Ground Zero.
The agency Thursday said it's removing its general contractor from the grandiose project that has repeatedly busted its budget and muffed its deadlines - and will take over the daunting task of managing construction itself.
At stake is the $3.2 billion budget and 2014 opening date of a four-level, Santiago Calatrava-designed mega-terminal with soaring wings and a retractable roof.
In a struggle to stay on track, the PA is opening up all future work to competitive bidding - a move it nixed just seven months ago, when it said such a step would "increase project risk" and "add uncertainty."
The Port Authority is also ousting Phoenix Constructors - a joint venture of four industry giants with whom it had a tortured relationship - from its dual role as construction manager and general contractor.
The PA says it will tackle the job.
The new plan opens the PATH terminal project to competitive bidding while letting Phoenix wrap up its work on underground pedestrian tunnels, below-grade steel and other aspects of the job.