WTC groundbreaking set

[Mara]

Groundbreaking for the tallest building in the world, to rise from the ashes of the World Trade Center site, will take place July 4, officials involved in the rebuilding told CNN.

http://money.cnn.com/2004/05/05/news/economy/wtc/index.htm?cnn=yes

[Rafal Dudek]

thats cool

but:

The tower is supposed to be ready for occupancy in 2009.

why its taking so long for? Didnt they build the Empire State building like in one year? =P

[NotSoFast]

Nowadays it takes half that time to get the proper permits for such a construction. Locally, in Baton Rouge, they are building a new road that will have an overpass over railroad tracks. They had to get permits from the railroad company. This process took 2 and a half years. The whole road is only 4 miles long. One overpass took 30 freaking months. Now consider all of the permits needed for a huge undertaking such as this with all of the surrounding buildings and streets.

Another thing, buildings are much more sophisticated now than they were when the Empire State Building was erected. Back then, all you needed were some concrete, steel, and a few hundred workers forking 24 hours a day.