WTC Oculus Has an 'Opening' Along with New Underground Tunnel

From above and below, views of the oculus open skylight, which was retracted on Thursday, May 26. Photos: (Left) Tribeca Trib; (right) Port Authority

Here are bird’s and bug’s eye views of the retracted 355-foot-long skylight of the World Trade Center transportation hub. It slid open on Thursday to coincide with the ceremonial inauguration of the underground tunnel that will now allow passage from the Fulton Transit Center’s Dey Street concourse on Broadway to the new WTC PATH station.

The skylight, consisting of 224 glass panes in 40 panels, is dramatically cantilevered high above the main hall of the station’s oculus, which opened in March. The Port Authority plans to retract the skylight every Sept. 11.

With the opening of the tunnel, an estimated 300,000 daily commuters will have underground access to PATH trains, nine subway lines and buildings at the World Trade Center.