Flag-Draped Spire Lifted Atop World Trade Center

May 02, 2013

The Associated Press

The final piece of spire was hoisted to the roof of One World Trade Center Thursday in New York City. The piece will be attached to the spire at a later date, capping off the tower at 1,776 feet. (Mark Lennihan/AP)

A crane has hoisted a U.S. flag covered spire to the top of New York's One World Trade Center, under construction at the site of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Construction workers applauded as the upright spire began heading skyward at midday Thursday on its way to the roof.

The spire's temporary home will be a platform at the top of the trade center. When it's fully installed, at a later date, it will soar to a symbolic 1,776 feet.

The 408-foot spire will be used as a world-class broadcast antenna.

The new tower is at the northwest corner of the trade center site. The area is well on its way to reconstruction with the 72-story Four World Trade Center and other buildings.

This program aired on May 2, 2013. The audio for this program is not available.