Temporary Visitor Receiving Facility
The existing temporary visitor receiving facility located on East Capitol Street Extension will be removed later this spring to clear the way for CVC construction. A new and more substantial Temporary Visitor Receiving Facility will be located on the South Grounds of the Capitol on a grassy area just south of the House Wing and it will remain in operation until the CVC project is completed. Visitors will arrive to the new facility from the west as the East Front Plaza is closed for construction.
This Week - Ongoing Work - 4/15/02 through 4/19/02
Temporary Visitor Receiving Facility - South Side
Construction is expected to be completed on the deck and ramps that will connect the facility to the South Terrace. Installation of the modular units that comprise the facility will begin. Wood board fencing continues to be installed to secure the site.
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 staged and will continue to be staged on the East Front grassy areas.
- South Barricade Entrance: House-side Utility Line Installation - Excavation and utility installation work will continue in the area located just north of the South Barricade Entrance and west of the drive lanes. Building access will not be affected.
- Senate-side Utility Line Installation - Excavation and utility installation work continue in the sidewalk near the octagonal booth (north of the Senate Carriageway) and in a portion of the drive lane to the East Plaza. Traffic may be rerouted slightly, but two lanes will be maintained. Access to the Carriageway entrance will be maintained.
Temporary Parking Lot Off New Jersey Avenue NW
All spaces have been assigned to staff who formerly parked on Capitol Square. These staff have been moved to accommodate perimeter security construction.
Construction Fencing
Installation of wood board fencing around the CVC project area continues around the South egg. The construction fence line encompasses both the North and South eggs out to First Street.
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.
Tree Maintenance - Pruning, mulching, and tree monitoring activities will continue. Irrigation piping and canopy misting systems continue to be installed to ensure that proper moisture levels for the trees on the East Capitol Grounds are maintained during CVC construction.
Next Week - Anticipated Work - 4/22/02 through 4/26/02
Temporary Visitor Receiving Facility - South Side
Installation of the modular units will continue. Construction will begin of a high-tension fabric canopy system over the deck and ramps of the facility.
Temporary Visitor Receiving Facility - North Side
Construction will begin later in the week on a new temporary visitor receiving facility to be located at the northeast corner of the Capitol. The facility will clear visitors for gallery tours and other activities on the Senate side of the building.
Utility Work
- House-side Utility Line Installation - Excavation and utility installation work will continue in the area located just north of the South Barricade Entrance and west of the drive lanes. Building access will not be affected.
- Senate-side Utility Line Installation - Excavation and utility installation work will continue in the sidewalk near the octagonal booth (north of the Senate Carriageway) and in a portion of the drive lane to the East Plaza. Traffic may be rerouted slightly, but two lanes will be maintained. Access to the Carriageway entrance will be maintained.
Construction Fencing
Installation of wood board fencing will continue around the South Egg.
Tree Preservation
Tree Maintenance - Pruning, mulching and tree monitoring activities will continue. Installation of irrigation piping and canopy misting systems will continue.
Previous Week - 4/8/02 through 4/12/02
Temporary Visitor Receiving Facility - South Side
Installation of the wood board fencing around the facility continued. Construction continued on the deck and ramp that will connect the facility to the South Terrace. Excavation began at the eastern portion of the site which cleared the way for paving of a small drive area. This paved area will be used by the electric carts that will bring persons with disabilities to the facility.
Utility Work
- South Barricade Entrance: House-side Utility Line Installation - Excavation and utility installation work continued in the area just north of the South Barricade Entrance and west of the drive lanes.
- North Barricade Entrance: Senate-side Utility Line Installation - Excavation and utility installation continued in an area near the North Barricade Entrance at Constitution Avenue.
Temporary Parking Lot Off New Jersey Avenue NW
Paving and line striping were completed in a temporary 58-space parking lot in the Senate park area just west of New Jersey Avenue NW.
Tree Preservation - Pruning, mulching and tree monitoring activities continued. Irrigation piping and canopy misting systems continued to be installed.
Capitol Dome
Interim maintenance work on the Capitol Dome continues. Crews erected scaffolding around the base of the Dome (not the Dome itself) and on the West Plaza to the roof. This interim work should not be confused with the more comprehensive Dome Restoration Project, which is expected to begin following completion of the CVC project. This current activity will continue into early September 2002, but will not impede access to any building entrances. Work on the Capitol Dome is not related to the CVC project, but notice is provided here to alert Members and Staff of this activity.
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
