WASHINGTON, DC — The reconstruction of the section of the Pentagon destroyed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack is moving well ahead of the original schedule, a project manager reported at a press briefing late last week. But, damaged more severely than initially thought, the building will not be able to be fully restored by the one-year anniversary of the attack.

The plane that crashed into the Pentagon demolished all five floors of that section and three of the structure's five rings. The outer “E” ring is expected to be complete by the anniversary date for a memorial ceremony, but the inner “C” and “D” rings likely will not be finished until spring 2003.

Additional security measures reportedly will add another $40 million to the estimated $700 million rebuilding cost.