The world's most expensive train station just opened in New York — take a look inside

world trade center transportation hub
Mark Lennihan/AP Images

Ever since the attacks on 9/11 destroyed the World Trade Center and the transportation network beneath it, construction has been underway on a replacement system.

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That replacement, the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, opened Thursday to the public. With its sharp, wide-open wings that pierce the sky, like those of a dove or phoenix, the structure is meant to symbolize rebirth.

But for all its impressive opulence, the $4 billion price tag and limited ridership potential make architect Santiago Calatrava's work more of a piece of expensive publicly-funded art than an important transit center.

Here's a look inside.

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Construction on the transportation hub began in 2003, in the wake of the September 11th attacks. It was supposed to be completed in 2009 and cost $2.2 billion.

world trade center transportation hub
Eric Thayer/Reuters

That budget quickly swelled, however, to nearly twice the amount — more than it cost to build the entire Freedom Tower, located right next door.

world trade center transportation hub
Mike Segar/Reuters
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That's not to say the finished product isn't beautiful. It's a towering and imposing structure that dwarfs anyone who passes through it.

world trade center transportation hub
Mike Segar/Reuters

And those who have worked on its construction.

world trade center transportation hub
Andrew Kelly/Reuters
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From the outside, the hub is as much a piece of public art as the Wall Street bull or the Statue of Liberty.

world trade center transportation hub
Mark Lennihan/AP Images
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It reflects an undeniable spirit of New York City, namely, the grit that keeps people hopeful in the face of adversity.

WTC Oculus

A photo posted by The Port Authority of NY & NJ (@wtcprogress) on Feb 22, 2016 at 7:09pm PST

 

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The greatest transgression is that it serves far too few people considering how much it cost.

wtc transit hub
Mary Altaffer/AP Images

Grand Central Terminal cost half as much in private money and serves 750,000 people across multiple trains, while the new hub will serve just 50,000 on PATH trains, which go between New York City and New Jersey.

grand central.jpg
Grand Central Station. sopasnor/Flickr

Source: The New York Times

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The station's primary clients, The New York Times points out, will be high-end commercial retailers: Apple, clothing stores, and other stores you could find in most shopping malls.

WTC Transportation Hub Oculus North South Connector

A photo posted by The Port Authority of NY & NJ (@wtcprogress) on Feb 29, 2016 at 9:11am PST

Source: The New York Times

Those considerations may not matter much for passengers who stand awe-struck beneath the hub's vaulted white ribs. That, at least, is the effect Calatrava was going for.

world trade center transportation hub
Mary Altaffer/AP Images
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So while the finished product may not justify the resources that went into it ...

wtc hub
Mike Segar/Reuters
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... At least as a piece of art, it is unequivocally splendid.

One WTC & WTC Transportation Hub Oculus

A photo posted by The Port Authority of NY & NJ (@wtcprogress) on Feb 29, 2016 at 9:01am PST

 

New York City Transportation
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