NEW YORK, NY September 09, 2008 —Some corners of the former World Trade Center location are showing progress, but others are not. The Port Authority is having trouble finishing preparatory work for one of the planned office towers.

SCHUERMAN: The Port Authority, which owns the site, was supposed to turn over the land for Tower 2 to developer Larry Silverstein on June 30th. Then it was mid-August.

Now an authority spokesman says contractors are having trouble plugging a leak in that part of the bathtub. Workers also need to shore up the land around a subway line that runs nearby.

Each day it is late, the Port Authority incurs a $300,000 fine. On top of earlier delays, the Port Authority will owe $40 million by the end of September, which is when it expects Silverstein can actually start construction on Tower 2.

All the office towers, including the Freedom Tower, were supposed to be finished by 2013. But that date will likely be pushed back.

For WNYC, I'm Matthew Schuerman.