Prepared by the Capitol Visitor Center Project Office, Architect of the Capitol, March 4, 2002

This Week - Ongoing Work - 3/04/02 through 3/08/02

Utility Work

Utility work is required in the pre-construction phase of the Capitol Visitor Center project. Utility lines will be moved in stages so that this construction work can take place at times intended to minimize disruption to traffic. Required materials are and will be staged on the East Front grassy areas.

1. South Barricade Entrance: House-side Utility Line Installation – Excavation, utility installation and perimeter security work will continue in this zone located just north of the South Barricade Entrance and west of the drive lanes. Building access will not be affected.
2. North Barricade Entrance: Senate-side Utility Line Installation – Excavation and utility installation will continue in this zone near the North Barricade Entrance at Constitution Avenue. Building access will not be affected.
3. Removal of a Portion of the LOC Book Tunnel – This work at the end of Congressional Drive near First Street has been completed and the trench has been covered and paved. All parking spaces in this area are available.

Tree Preservation

Trees of lasting and historic value, which have not reached the end of the their natural life span or are not sick, have been moved to new locations and are being treated to help ensure their survival. Some trees were removed to clear the way for project construction.

1. Tree Maintenance on New Jersey Avenue – Tree protection measures will begin on trees immediately adjacent to the New Jersey Avenue parking lot to be constructed in the next few weeks in Upper Senate Park.
2. Tree Maintenance on South Grounds – Some removal, transplanting, and trimming of specified trees will occur on the South Grounds to clear the site for installation of a new Temporary Screening Facility that will be located on the lawn just south of the House Wing.

Next Week - Anticipated Work - 3/11/02 through 3/15/02

1. South Barricade Entrance: House-side Utility Line Installation – Excavation, utility installation and perimeter security work will continue in this zone located just north of the South Barricade Entrance and west of the drive lanes. Building access will not be affected.
2. North Barricade Entrance: Senate-side Utility Line Installation – Excavation and utility installation will continue in this zone near the North Barricade Entrance at Constitution Avenue. Building access will not be affected.
3. Temporary Parking Lot Adjacent to New Jersey Avenue – A construction contractor is expected to begin mobilizing equipment and materials required to construct a temporary parking lot (for use during CVC construction) in a grassy area opposite Upper Senate Park. The new lot will result in a net gain of 58 parking spaces.
4. Temporary Screening Facility on South Grounds – Temporary fencing, and placement of footings and foundations on the South Grounds of the Capitol will begin to prepare the site for installation of a new Temporary Screening Facility on the lawn just south of the House Wing.
5. Perimeter Fencing – Fencing around the perimeter of the CVC project area, which encompasses the grassy oval areas on the East Capitol Grounds, will begin late in the week.

Tree Preservation

1. Tree Maintenance – Pruning, mulching and tree monitoring activities will continue.
2. Tree Protection – Fencing installation will continue around trees near the new Temporary Screening Facility on the lawn just south of the House Wing.

Previous Week - 2/25/02 through 3/01/02

Utility Work

1. South Barricade Entrance: House-side Utility Line Installation – Excavation, utility installation and perimeter security work continued in this zone located just north of the South Barricade Entrance and west of the drive lanes. Building access was not affected.
2. North Barricade Entrance: Senate-side Utility Line Installation - Excavation and utility installation continued in this zone near the North Barricade Entrance at Constitution Avenue. Building access was not affected.
3. Removal of a Portion of the LOC Book Tunnel - This work at the end of Congressional Drive near First Street was completed and the trench was covered and paved.

Tree Preservation

1. Tree Removal – Tree removal was completed along East Capitol Street Extension with Capitol Square.
2. Tree Maintenance – Pruning, mulching, and tree monitoring activities continued.

If you have any questions about the Capitol Visitor Center Project, please contact Tom Fontana, CVC Project Communications Officer for the Architect of the Capitol, at (202) 228-1310, or by e-mail at tfontana@aoc.gov