One World Trade Center Tower spire rising above NYC

The first section of a 408-foot spire is hoisted by crane to the top of One World Trade Center, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, in New York. The spire will be fully assembled in 2013 and the tower will top out at 1,776 feet.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

The first section of a 408-foot spire is hoisted by crane to the top of One World Trade Center, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, in New York. The spire will be fully assembled in 2013 and the tower will top out at 1,776 feet. Keep clicking for a look at the spire's arrival and assembly at the construction site.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

Parts of the spire for the Freedom Tower make their way on a barge from Port Newark to Lower Manhattan where they were unloaded and will be installed on top of the Freedom Tower starting on December 11, 2012 in New York City. The barge carried nine pieces of steel that will eventually top off One World Trade Center at a symbolic 1,776 feet, becoming the tallest building in the Western hemisphere.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

A barge loaded with sections of spire for One World Trade Center, center, is guided by tugboat across New York Harbor, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, in New York. The Statue of Liberty is at left, and the Empire State Building is second left.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

Parts of the spire for the Freedom Tower make their way on a barge from Port Newark to lower Manhattan where they were unloaded and will be installed on top of the Freedom Tower starting on December 11, 2012, in New York City. The barge carried nine pieces of steel that will eventually top off One World Trade Center at a symbolic 1,776 feet, becoming the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

One World Trade Center stands in construction as the first of 18 segment of a spire crowning it was hoisted into place, in New York, December 12, 2012. At 104 storys, it is the highest building in New York, and when the 408-foot spire is complete, it will become the tallest in the western hemisphere, hitting 1,776 feet.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

Workers prepare the first piece of the spire to be hoisted atop One World Trade Center on December 12, 2012, in New York City. The first of 18 sections of spire was hoisted atop the 104-story building by crane.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

Ironworker Mark Connelly rides an elevator as he leaves One World Trade Center at the end of his shift, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, in New York. The 408-foot crowning spire of the World Trade Center's tallest building which arrived Tuesday in New York City is expected to rise on top of the tower by spring.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

A worker wears a Teamsters union jacket as the first piece of the spire is hoisted atop One World Trade Center on December 12, 2012, in New York City. The first of 18 sections of spire was hoisted atop the 104-story building by crane on Dec. 12, 2012.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

Workers pull a rope as they prepare the first piece of the spire to be hoisted atop One World Trade Center on December 12, 2012 in New York City. The first of 18 sections of spire was hoisted atop the 104-story building by crane.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

Workers watch as the first piece of the spire is hoisted atop One World Trade Center on December 12, 2012, in New York City. The first of 18 sections of spire was hoisted atop the 104-story building by crane.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

The first section of a 408-foot spire is hoisted by crane to the top of One World Trade Center, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, in New York. The spire will be fully assembled in 2013 and the tower will top out at 1,776 feet.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

The first piece of the spire is hoisted atop One World Trade Center on December 12, 2012, in New York City. The first of 18 sections of spire was hoisted atop the 104-story building by crane.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

The first section of a 408-foot spire is hoisted by crane to the top of One World Trade Center, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, in New York. The spire will be fully assembled in 2013 and the tower will top out at 1,776 feet.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

The first section of a 408-foot spire is hoisted by crane to the top of One World Trade Center, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 in New York. The spire will be fully assembled in 2013 and the tower will top out at 1,776 feet. On the left is 7 World Trade Center, which is 741 feet high.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

The first section of a 408-foot spire is hoisted by crane to the top of One World Trade Center, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, in New York. The spire will be fully assembled in 2013 and the tower will top out at 1,776 feet.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

Workers pour the concrete roof of One World Trade Center, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, in New York. Behind them is the steel superstructure that will support a 408-foot spire that is expected to rise into the Manhattan sky by spring.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

A steel beam, bearing the signatures of hundreds of workers and President Barack Obama, is in place on the 104th floor of One World Trade Center, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, in New York. A 408-foot spire is expected to rise on top of the tower by spring.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

Steel framing outlines the space for a 408-foot spire that will soon arrive on-site at One World Trade Center, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, in New York. The spire is expected to rise into the Manhattan sky by spring.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

The Statue of Liberty, center, and New York Harbor are shown in this view from the top of One World trade Center, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, in New York. A 408-foot spire is expected to rise on top of the tower by spring.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins

An American flag flies next to One World Trade Center, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, in New York. A 408-foot spire is expected to rise on top of the tower into the Manhattan sky by spring.

One World Trade Center spire assembly begins