World Trade Center Construction Resumes, Memorial Reopens

The building was expected to be out of commission for several weeks after being flooded by Sandy’s torrential waters, but 750 construction workers returned to work on Nov. 5, to continue the building of the World Trade Center, the Vehicle Screening Center, the PATH station, among other projects at the site.

Governor Andrew Cuomo spoke about watching the rivers meet and flood the World Trade Center site on Saturday.

“The World Trade Center site was frightening,” he said. “At the cresting of the tide on Monday night, the Hudson River was basically pouring into the World Trade Center site.”

According to the Observer, restoration began almost immediately after the hurricane passed. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as private contractors and a team from the Port Authority, worked tirelessly to pump some 16 million gallons of water that had filled the structure.

Because it is underground, the 9/11 Museum, located beneath the Memorial plaza, took on the most water. The site took on between four and 10 feet of water, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The site is now 95 percent dry. Workers are assessing the damage and recalibrating the construction timetable.

“They originally anticipated it would be two to three weeks before they could get back to work,” Cuomo said.

“But instead of two to three weeks, they’ve gotten it done in three or four days, and the work will recommence tonight on the site, and you’ll see light on again at the site.”

The World Trade Center was, in fact, relighed on Saturday. The Observer reported seeing the lights of 7 World Trade, as well as of the Goldman Sachs headquarters, and the American International Building.

The World Trade Center Memorial also reopened on Nov. 6.