HispanicBusiness

With the final piece of the spire mounted on the new World Trade Center Friday morning, the building officially became the tallest tower in the U.S. with its 541 meters.

The spire was the final piece in the reconstruction of One World Trade Center, also known as Freedom Tower, that was destroyed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

The mounting, which included a chopper putting the spire in place, was shown live on television, as NBC Today show host Matt Lauer sounded a horn signalling the beginning of the procedure.

The tower, due for completion next year, is the tallest in the western hemisphere and third tallest in the world. It will be the first of four World Trade Center buildings completed as part of the $4-billion reconstruction.