9/11 Ceremonies to Put Lower Manhattan in Lockdown

Lower Manhattan will be in lockdown mode today as massive crowds and a host of dignitaries descend on the area for the solemn observance of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

President Obama and former President George W. Bush will join Gov. Cuomo, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Mayor Bloomberg and relatives of the victims at a ceremony in Zucotti Park that begins at 8:40 a.m.

Throughout the morning, the names of the more than 2,600 people who died in the 1993 and 2001 World Trade Center attacks will be read aloud.

Those readings will be interrupted to observe moments of silence to mark key moments in the attacks — at 8:46 a.m., when the first plane struck the north tower, at 9:03 a.m., when the second hit the south tower, and at 9:37, when the Pentagon was attacked.

The ceremony will end at 1 p.m.

Starting at sunset, the “Tribute in Light” — two 48-foot-square beams of light inspired by the shape of the Twin Towers — will shine four miles into the sky. It will be visible from miles away.

To get ready for the ceremony, streets all around the World Trade Center site will be closed from 8 a.m. today to 8 p.m. tomorrow.

Street Closures

* Closed to traffic from 11:59 p.m. today through Monday, Sept. 12, at 5 a.m.:
West Street between Battery Place and Murray Streets.

* Closed to traffic and parking from tomorrow at 8 a.m. through Sunday at 8 p.m.:
– Warren Street between West Street and West Broadway
– Murray Street between West and Church streets
– Barclay Street between West and Church streets
– Park Place between Greenwich Street and Broadway
– Greenwich Street between Warren and Vesey streets
– West Broadway between Warren and Vesey streets
– Vesey Street between North End Avenue and West Street

– Vesey, Fulton, Dey and Cortlandt streets between Church Street and Broadway
– Liberty Street between South End Avenue and West Street and between Greenwich Street and Broadway
– Albany Street between South End Avenue and Greenwich Street
– Cedar Street between Greenwich Street and Broadway
– Thames Street between Greenwich and Broadway
– Carlisle Street between West and Greenwich streets
– South End Avenue between Liberty and Thames streets
– Washington Street between Albany and Rector streets
– Greenwich Street between Liberty and Rector streets

* Closed to traffic Sunday from 5 a.m. through 5 p.m.:
– Church Street/Trinity Place between Rector and Barclay streets
– Broadway will remain open to vehicles.

{NY Post/Matzav.com Newscenter}