The Port Authority's $4 billion World Trade Center transit hub, known as the Oculus, took on more relevance for commuters on Thursday when a tunnel connecting the PATH to the NYC subway was opened.



The Dey Street connector provides commuters with a two-minute subterranean stroll from the World Trade Center transit hub's Oculus through a newly opened tunnel to the New York City Subway system's Fulton Street center.



Criticized for it's cost, when finished, the transportation hub will also link World Financial Center and the last two of 11 subway lines with the WTC PATH station.

"It saves me 5 minutes and it's convenient," said a woman who passed through the Oculus, but declined to give her name as she rushed for the PATH train.



The first users of the connection may have unaware of the ceremony that preceded the the PATH-subway connection opening. A man who came through the trade center entrance, after a crowd of dignitaries, swiped his Metrocard and smiled when someone suggested he was the first passenger to use it.

What the tunnel spares commuters from is crowded sidewalks, swarming tourists and bad weather, traveling between PATH and the subway complex.



Thursday afternoon's ceremony made up for a low-key opening of the $4 billion transit hub in March, when work was still finishing up on the connecting tunnel.



At the surface, the ceremony was billed as honoring the thousands of construction workers who built the transit hub. But officials also used the occasion to justify the expense and expanse of the massive project.

"Expensive? Yes. Controversial? Probably. But hasn't that always been true in the history of art? ," said John Degnan, Port Authority board chairman. "We didn't just replace what was destroyed on 9-11. We created a magnificent structure that says we're strong and resilient."



Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. Find NJ.com on Facebook.