FEMA Releases $142.4 Million To The Port Authority For Tunnel Work, Temporary Offices And Emergency Transportation
Release Date: January 15, 2003
Release Number: 1391-189
» More Information on New York Terrorist Attack
New York, NY -- An additional $142.4 million was obligated today by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the State of New York to reimburse the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for emergency protective measures, temporary ferry services and office relocation expenses incurred after the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center.
The Port Authority maintained its headquarters and substantial offices at One World Trade Center prior to the attack, leasing approximately 967,000 square feet of space in the building.
In announcing the release of these funds, FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh said, "These grants will reimburse the Port Authority for the extraordinary efforts undertaken to protect important transportation assets in the days following the disaster and provide emergency transportation alternatives for thousands of New York and New Jersey residents and commuters. FEMA is pleased to be able to help the Port Authority as part of President Bush's commitment to the long-term recovery of New York."
The $142,443,523 in funding includes:
- $73.2 million for Port Authority office relocation expenses and associated
build-out costs at temporary work locations in New York and New Jersey;
- $58.8 million for emergency protective measures to prevent further
damage to the main PATH train E and F tunnels which connect PATH stations
at the World Trade Center site and Exchange Place in Jersey City, NJ;
and for restoration and repair work to these tunnels;
- $9.3 million for emergency transportation, specifically temporary
ferry services on the Hudson River between Hoboken, NJ and lower Manhattan;
and on the East River from 90th St. via 34th St. to Pier 11 in lower
Manhattan, and Hunter's Point, Brooklyn to 34th St. and Pier 11; and
- $1.1 million for office and medical supplies lost or destroyed in the collapse of the World Trade Center.
With these funds, the total amount obligated to date to the State of New York for emergency response and recovery work through the Public Assistance program is more than $1.5 billion.
Commenting on the grants, New York State Emergency Management Office Director Edward F. Jacoby Jr. said, "This FEMA funding provides the Port Authority with the resources necessary to continue its superb efforts in managing critical transportation issues that affect the metropolitan area. The agency has done a remarkable job, especially considering that it was itself a significant victim of the WTC attack."
The grants are funded through the FEMA/State of New York Public Assistance program. For this declared disaster, President Bush authorized FEMA to pay for 100 percent of the program costs. Public Assistance reimburses government agencies and certain non-profits providing a government-like service for eligible disaster-related damages and costs not covered by insurance.
Among the categories eligible for reimbursement are debris removal, emergency protective measures, and repair or restoration of damaged public facilities.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 28-May-2003 12:33:24