$4 billion new World Trade Center transit hub
The soaring 'bird-like' structure, the new World Trade Center Transportation Hub, designed by Santiago Calatrava in New York City took 12 years to build and $4 billion in public funds-- the most expensive train center ever. The hub, which opened on March 3, 2016, is part of a massive redevelopment of the area that was destroyed during the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Part of the Oculus, the centerpiece of the hub, is pictured next to One World Trade Center in New York, Feb. 25, 2016.
World Trade Center's Oculus
The interior of the Oculus structure truly provides a soaring feel is pictured during a media tour of the site in the Manhattan borough of New York City.
The curved steel-ribbed walls meet to form a high, soaring roof connected by a giant skylight. Windows between the ribbing let sunlight spill through the main hall.
World Trade Center's Oculus
Glass towers reflect a wing of the Oculus in New York.
Meant as an elegant winged dove, the structure has an aggressive feel to the exterior with ribs appearing to stab the sky.
World Trade Center Transportation Hub
An exterior view of the Oculus structure of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub.
Many have described the ribs as looking more dinosaur bones.
World Trade Center's Oculus
The skylight joining the curved walls of the Oculus.
Tens of thousands of daily commuters will funnel through the hub.
World Trade Center Transportation Hub
An exterior portion of the main hall, the Oculus, of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub jutts out towards nearby buildings in New York City.
The hub was built by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
World Trade Center's Oculus
Dancer Laura Rae Bernasconi dances as she poses for photos in the main hall, known as the Oculus. The entire space is a pristine white.
World Trade Center's Oculus
An exterior view of the Oculus structure of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub. The winged dove appears to have one broken wing.
World Trade Center Transportation Hub
New Yorkers and tourists get their first look inside the cathedral-like hall that sits atop the new $4 billion train station at the World Trade Center.
The Oculus connects to underground passages leading to subway lines.
World Trade Center Transportation Hub
Men work on a portion of the retractable roof of the Oculus.
World Trade Center Transportation Hub
Workers look out from a balcony inside the new partially opened World Trade Center Transportation Hub.
The hub offers connections to the PATH train connecting New York City and New Jersey.
World Trade Center Transportation Hub
The spire at the top of One World Trade Center tower is seen through a portion of the retractable roof from the interior of the Oculus.
World Trade Center's Oculus
People walk through the new partially opened World Trade Center Transportation Hub after nearly 12 years of construction on March 3, 2016 in New York City.
The grand structure, at a cost of $4 billion, is almost $2 billion over budget.
World Trade Center's Oculus
People walk through the new partially opened World Trade Center Transportation Hub.
The Oculus will be leased out as an event space. Shops will move in later in 2016, including a new Apple store.
World Trade Center's Oculus
The Oculus of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub is seen in the distance as people visit the World Trade Center site, formerly known as "Ground Zero."
World Trade Center's Oculus
Part of the Oculus (L), the centerpiece of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, is juxtaposed with One World Trade Center.