Work has begun on the Tower of Voices, the final phase of major construction of the Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville, Somerset County.
The first section of the tower was installed near the memorial's Route 30 entrance on Monday. The public can keep track of the construction progress via webcam .
Although site preparation has been underway for months, the $6 million tower just started to take shape this week with the installation of several pre-cast concrete wall segments.
First section of the Tower of Voices was installed today! Follow our updates on the Tower of Voices from construction through dedication in September using #TOV2018 Learn more about the Tower of Voices: https://t.co/bk36Xty2r5 #TowerOfVoices #Honor93 pic.twitter.com/ziDLTYfdz2
— Flight 93 NMEM (@Flight93NPS) May 21, 2018
The 93-foot tower's design is meant to be a "visual and audible reminder of the courageous actions of the 40 passengers and crew of United Flight 93" on 9/11, according to the National Park Service.
The tower interior will hold 40 wind-activated chimes — polished aluminum tubes with a diameter ranging from 8 to 16 inches and a height of 5 to 10 feet. The shape and orientation of the tower are designed to optimize air flow through the tower walls to reach the interior chamber, according to the National Park Service.
The chimes are being made by Fugate Inc., a percussion manufacturer based in Morton, Ill., and are expected to be installed this summer. Construction completion and a dedication ceremony are planned for September.
Design and construction of the Tower of Voices is being funded by a grant from the National Park Foundation. Altoona-based Leonard S. Fiore Inc. is the general contractor.
Stephen Huba is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-850-1280, shuba@tribweb.com or via Twitter @shuba_trib.
