JERSEY CITY, N.J. -(Dow Jones)- The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is still on track to reopen the Exchange Place PATH commuter rail station in Jersey City, N.J. in June 2003 , officials said.

Speaking at the Waterfront Business Community Council meeting here Wednesday morning, Bill Wong, program manager of the Port Authority's downtown restoration program, said the group is also still on track to start running trains from Exchange Place to and from a renovated World
Trade Center station in December 2003 . The Port Authority set this timeline two months ago.

The June date refers to when trains from the Pavonia Newport and Grove Street stations in Jersey City will start running through Exchange Place.  The Port Authority plans to start controlled blasts in the PATH tunnels in Jersey City as soon as May 6 , officials said. The explosions will take place 60 to 70 feet below ground and should not be felt on the surface, according to Wong. The Port Authority is in the process of applying for permits to start the blasts.

A second entrance to the Grove Street station in Jersey City is scheduled to be completed during the first quarter of 2003, Bill Fellini, director of PATH capital programs, said at the meeting.

The World Trade Center and Exchange Place stations were heavily damaged by the Sept. 11 attack and aftermath, which cut off service to thousands of commuters. The tunnels connecting the stations beneath the Hudson River also suffered extensive damage. The Grove Street station as well as the Christopher Street station in Manhattan have faced beyond-capactiy crowds during rush hour since the attacks.

-By Hollister H. Hovey, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-2007; hollister.hovey@ dowjones.com