An underground subway corridor is the only portion of the World Trade Center that predates the 9/11 terrorist attacks still intact in New York City
NEED TO KNOW
- A preserved subway corridor features an original portion of the 1970s World Trade Center complex
- The space survived the 9/11 attacks due to its location away from the site of the towers’ collapse
- Commuters and visitors can see markings from FEMA’s 2001 search efforts and touch original elements of the site
Tucked away deep beneath the streets of Lower Manhattan stands a piece of American history that thousands of commuters walk past every day. Inside one of New York City’s busy subway stations is an intact remnant of the original World Trade Center, offering travelers a time capsule of an era that predates the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
At the northeast corner of the site, the entrance the World Trade Center E train subway stop includes a corridor that is a relic of the old complex. The materials in the space include travertine flooring, signage, doors, handrails and other fixtures from the 1970s design.
“This space was used by thousands of daily commuters and visitors to the original World Trade Center, and now maintains this same function as part of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub,” a commemorative plaque in the 50-foot stretch of hallway reads.
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The corridor’s location, sitting the farthest away from the site of collapse of the Twin Towers, explains why the structure was able to withstand the event. While surrounding portions of the underground shopping mall survived as well, much of it was demolished as part of rebuilding efforts.
As commuters enter the space, they are met with a door marked with orange graffiti depicting an “X.” Scribbled orange text reads “MATF 1” with “9 13” underneath it…