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Prismatic Glass Facade For WTC Tower Scrapped

NEW YORK (CBS/AP) -- Plans to cover the concrete base of the new World Trade Center tower with 2,000 panel of clear prismatic glass have been scrapped because of technical and safety concerns.

Construction of 1 World Trade Center, which reached its halfway point in January, has risen to 65 stories.

One World Trade Center
One World Trade Center is seen at Ground Zero - New York, NY - May 5, 2011 (credit: Steve Knight / WCBS 880)

Port Authority officials with both New York and New Jersey decided to scrap the prismatic glass because it is prone to shattering.

 

About $10 million had been spent on the glass panels which were supposed to cover the building's 185-foot tall base.

Officials say traditional glass is going to be used instead.

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(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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