Workers Install First Piece Of WTC Spire

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Workers using two giant cranes on the 104th floor roof of One World Trade Center have installed the first piece of the spire that will make it the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

Last month, a barge carrying nine of 18 sections of the steel spire made its way across New York harbor and arrived at Pier 25 after traveling 1,500 nautical miles down the Atlantic seaboard from Quebec.

Dozens of ironworkers were on hand Tuesday as the massive, round piece of iron slowly descended into its socket.

Once the 408-foot spire is installed atop One World Trade, the building will stand at 1,776 feet. Installation is expected to take approximately three months.

The spire will serve the state-of-the-art, broadcast facility that will be housed at One World Trade.

The building is already the tallest in New York City and once completed, will become the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the third tallest in the world.

One World Trade is slated to open in 2014.

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