Exchange Place Station Subsurface Reconstruction and Improvements

The Port Authority Trans Hudson (PATH) Railroad's Exchange Place Station has undergone major renovation and improvement as part of a Port Authority passenger safety program. The station was constructed in the early 20th century, in poor ground conditions at the edge of the Hudson River. As a result of recent increases in passenger volume and a concern for passenger safety, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey planned and constructed major improvements to the station. Existing train rooms were refurbished and a new at‐grade station was constructed at water edge with new escalators and stairways descending to the deep station platforms. This paper describes the conditions encountered at the facility and the engineering decisions that were made in order to accommodate existing structures and the difficult ground conditions. Various construction techniques were necessary for the successful completion of the new construction without endangering the operating railroad or the public. The project was completed without incident and without disruption to the operating facility.