9/11 memory: A $4 billion station
Today, on the site of the World Trade Center, which was hit by a terrorist attack 25 years ago on September 11, stands a memorial, and next to it, a commemorative facility for the victims – a station has been built. This station is one of the most expensive in the world, costing 4 billion dollars. So, why did the New York authorities agree to allocate so much money from the budget despite it being a difficult and expensive task? Kun.uz's correspondent in the US prepared a report from that famous station.
9/11 memory: The $4 billion station
On the site of the World Trade Center, which was hit by a terrorist attack 25 years ago on September 11, a memorial stands today, and next to it, a station dedicated to the memory of those who perished has been built. This station is one of the most expensive structures in the world, costing $4 billion. So, why did the New York authorities agree to allocate so much money from the budget, despite its construction being difficult and expensive?
The site of the World Trade Center, which was razed to the ground as a result of the terror, is also home to the most expensive railway station in the US and the world. This facility, whose exterior resembles a white bird, was built specifically to commemorate the events of September 11.
This station, which cost nearly $4 billion to build, is the work of Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. He designed the building to resemble a white bird. The reason for this is to symbolize that those who died here ascended to the sky like a white bird.
With the money spent on building this station, for example, by current estimates, at least an entire subway line, 10 international airports, 100 modern hospitals, or 250 schools could be built.
Nevertheless, the New York authorities decided to allocate these funds precisely because it was a memorial structure.
Every year on the morning of September 11, sunlight enters the building based on special calculations. The flow of light begins at 8:46 AM — the time the first plane hit the twin tower — and moves inside the building until 10:28 AM — the moment the second tower collapsed.
In this way, this building turns into a memorial for one day every year. People who come here experience time not through a clock, but through sunlight.
The construction itself is also full of records.
About 11,500 tons of special steel were used for the Oculus. The highest point inside the building reaches 49 meters. Most of the white marble was imported from Italy.
Today, this place is not just a transportation hub. It connects 12 subway lines and the PATH trains running to New Jersey. About 200,000 people pass through this area every day. With its shopping centers, restaurants, and public spaces, the Oculus has become one of the busiest places in New York.