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| US Capitol dome to undergo $60m renovation | |
| (about 9 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 been completely restored 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 weather | Age 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. |
| Mr Ayers said that while the dome looked "magnificent" from afar, under the paint, age and weather had taken a toll. | 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. |