Twin towers replacement to begin July 4

Developers of the Freedom Tower will break ground on the 1,776 foot skyscraper on the site of New York’s World Trade Centre on July 4 – Independence Day

“On July 4, as we commemorate the founding of our nation, we lay the foundation for our resurgence,” said New York state Governor George Pataki.

“On July 4, as fireworks burst in the sky, ephemeral reminders of our liberty, we will begin to reclaim our skyline with a permanent symbol of our freedom.”

The famous WTC twin towers were destroyed in the September 11 terror attacks.

Pataki was scheduled to announce several other dates in the redevelopment timetable at the trade centre site, including that a complete design of the September 11 victims memorial, Reflecting Absence, would be finished by the end of the year and construction starting in 2006.

Private donors will need to raise money to build the memorial, which is budgeted for at least €287.6m.