by Brianna Crandall — September 12, 2011—Despite Hurricane Irene, as well as an earthquake and Tropical Storm Lee, the World Trade Center (WTC) site stayed on track for this weekend’s remembrance ceremonies for the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, due to the diligence of all involved in this important construction project.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which is leading the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site, says the WTC area weathered the rain, wind and storm surge of the historically proportioned Hurricane Irene with minimal damage, and the 9/11 Memorial—where not one of the 225 trees was damaged despite 60+ mph winds—remained on track for its opening on September 11. Work resumed right after the hurricane to put the finishing touches on the Memorial in preparation for its opening, and on One World Trade Center and the other commercial office buildings, the WTC Transportation Hub, the Vehicle Security Center and related projects.
Port Authority staff remained on site throughout the duration of Hurricane Irene, checking for any problems and shoring up flood-prone areas with sand bags and concrete barriers. As a result of the major preparations in advance of Irene and the quality and strength of the site’s construction, not one of the newly planted white swamp oak trees on the Memorial Plaza or the “Survivor Tree” was damaged, the signature reflecting pools remained unharmed, and none of the hundreds of panes of glass in One World Trade Center and in the Memorial Visitor’s Center was broken, says the Port Authority. Only limited flooding occurred in the basement level of One World Trade Center, and that water has since been pumped out with no significant damaged caused.
Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni said after Hurricane Irene, “This site survived the storm because of the dedication and hard work of so many Port Authority employees. They stayed on site for the duration of the storm and did whatever was needed to minimize any damage, including hours spent in the driving rain sandbagging and checking for wind damage. We made a sacred commitment to get the memorial open, and no amount of rain or wind is going to stop us.”
Before the storm hit, Port Authority staff prepared by notifying contractors to secure their construction sites and to take precautionary measures including securing cranes; tying down material and loose debris; covering electrical equipment; storing loose tools; and securing netting, scaffolding and sidewalk sheds. Engineers also implemented plans in advance of the storm to secure cranes against the hurricane, while crews also are prepared pumps, sandbags and other measures to stem flooding at the site.
In preparation for the 10th anniversary, the Port Authority said the 9/11 Memorial Plaza is complete with the two running waterfalls, the victims’ names engraved in bronze parapets, and 225 trees plated throughout an 8-acre plaza. One WTC has reached over 80 floors and is climbing every week. Significant progress also has been made to build the World Trade Center Transportation Hub and the Vehicle Security Center.
Those interested in the WTC site rebuilding can follow its progress on the Port Authority’s World Trade Center Web site.
