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US Capitol dome to undergo $60m renovatation US Capitol dome to undergo $60m renovatation
(about 4 hours later)
The dome atop the US Capitol building will undergo an extensive, two-year renovation to repair more than 1,000 cracks, officials have said. The dome atop the US Capitol building will undergo an extensive two-year renovation to repair more than 1,000 cracks, officials have said.
The cast iron dome is more than 150 years old and has not undergone a complete restoration since 1960. The cast iron dome is more than 150 years old and has not been completely restored since 1960.
The project, budgeted at nearly $60m (£37m), will begin in November.The project, budgeted at nearly $60m (£37m), will begin in November.
Scaffolding will be erected but the renovation is expected only minimally to disrupt legislative business and tourist visits, officials said.Scaffolding will be erected but the renovation is expected only minimally to disrupt legislative business and tourist visits, officials said.
Age and weatherAge and weather
"As stewards of the Capitol for the Congress and the American people, we must conduct this critical work to save the dome," Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers wrote in a statement announcing the launch of the renovation."As stewards of the Capitol for the Congress and the American people, we must conduct this critical work to save the dome," Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers wrote in a statement announcing the launch of the renovation.
"From a distance the dome looks magnificent, thanks to the hard-work of our employees. On closer look, under the paint, age and weather have taken its toll and the [Architect of the Capitol] needs to make repairs to preserve the dome." Mr Ayers said that while the dome looked "magnificent" from afar, under the paint, age and weather had taken a toll.
An independent contractor was selected to perform the restoration and will conduct the majority of the work during nights and weekends, Mr Ayers's office said.An independent contractor was selected to perform the restoration and will conduct the majority of the work during nights and weekends, Mr Ayers's office said.
A network of scaffolding will be erected on the outside of the dome, while a white canopy system "in the shape of a doughnut" will be installed on the interior to protect the public.A network of scaffolding will be erected on the outside of the dome, while a white canopy system "in the shape of a doughnut" will be installed on the interior to protect the public.
The Capitol building is the seat of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and it and the surrounding complex hold office space for members of Congress and their staffs.The Capitol building is the seat of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and it and the surrounding complex hold office space for members of Congress and their staffs.
The building receives an estimated three million visitors each year.The building receives an estimated three million visitors each year.