Subway in the Sky Serves Construction Workers at Ground Zero

June 18: Construction workers take a lunch break inside the rising structure of One World Trade Center in New York. A Subway sandwich shop is serving workers atop the Ground Zero scaffolding that will become Freedom Tower. The eatery, built out of shipping containers, is rising along with the signature skyscraper with the help of a hydraulically powered platform. (AP)

NEW YORK -- It may be one of the most exclusive eateries in the city -- with one of the best views.

A sandwich shop is serving construction workers at the top of the ground zero scaffolding that will become One World Trade Center -- also known as the Freedom Tower. The fast-food restaurant, built out of shipping containers, is rising along with the signature skyscraper with the help of a hydraulically powered platform.

The Subway restaurant, subcontracted by the company fabricating and installing all the tower's structural steel, allows workers to get their food and get back to work without taking what had become an increasingly lengthy trip down to street level in search of some grub.

John McGowan, a 45-year-old ironworker, had been spending the bulk of his lunch break in transit before the restaurant arrived, he said. Now, he and other workers can sit in their hardhats and fluorescent vests and take in the open-air view on the city from the 26th floor.

Water waste from the restaurant is boiled away with an evaporation system, and solid trash is composted with the help of sky-high worms. Water and supplies are brought up with the help of cranes.

Ryan Sabio, 30, said he's glad for the upward commute to his job making sandwiches, when he gets to hobnob with the people building the much-awaited landmark.

"It's a little trip getting here, most obviously. But it feels good at the end of the day to serve these guys," he said. "I feel like I'm filling in, somewhat, a part of history here."

McGowan, too, says he has personal reasons to be glad to make the trip, wherever he's eating.

"I was here when it came down. I'm here to build it back up. Proud to do it," he said.

The 1,776-foot skyscraper is scheduled to be built by 2013. A second office tower, a Sept. 11 memorial and a transit hub are also under construction at the 16-acre site.