Prepared by the Capitol Visitor Center Project Office, Architect of the Capitol, June 3, 2002

This Week - Ongoing Work - 6/3/02 through 6/7/02

Temporary Visitor Screening Facility - South Side

Construction is complete and the facility has begun receiving visitors. The temporary East Front Screening Facility has been closed and is being dismantled.

Temporary Visitor Screening Facility - North Side

Construction is complete and the facility has begun receiving visitors for Senate Gallery tours, official visits and Senate-side staff-led tours.

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 construction work can take place at times intended to minimize disruption to traffic. Required materials are being staged on the East Front grassy areas.

1. House-side Utility Line Installation -
   1. South Barricade Entrance - CVC utility work and other AOC work continue in the eastern portion of this zone and along Southeast Drive. Pedestrian access from Independence has been established along the east and west sides of the drive lanes.
   2. House Egg - The grassy oval area or "egg" opposite the House Wing is being used to stage utility materials. In addition, excavation and utility installation continues in the egg.
2. Senate-side Utility Line Installation -
   1. Excavation and utility installation work continues along Northeast Drive. There will be no parking on Northeast Drive until this and other AOC work is completed in this area.
   2. Utility work will continue in a zone at First Street and Maryland Avenue and at a portion of the sidewalk along Constitution Avenue. Pedestrian bypass signs have been posted to direct pedestrians to the east side of First Street NE.
   3. CVC excavation and utility installation work continues immediately south of and adjacent to the Senate steps. Traffic is being rerouted slightly, but access to the Carriageway is maintained.

Historic Preservation

Removal of the historic Frederick Law Olmsted landscape features, including the fountains, lanterns and retaining walls on the East Front Plaza, is required to clear the site for CVC excavation. All historic materials that are removed will be catalogued, stored, and reinstalled in their original locations once the new Plaza has been completed.

1. House-side Historic Preservation - Crews continue to catalogue the historic landscape features around the House egg in preparation for their removal and storage.
2. Senate-side Historic Preservation - Crews will begin removing historic landscape features along the southeast quadrant of the Senate egg. Fencing will be erected around all the historic landscape features and the work areas will be prepared. The parking spaces along the southwest quadrant of the egg will be shifted approximately 20 feet westward to clear the way for removal of the wall and lampposts in this area.

Construction Fencing - Installation of wood board fencing continues around the CVC project area and will be completed by early July, at which point the East Plaza will be closed to vehicular traffic. Trim and paint work on the fence also continues.

Tree Maintenance - Tree monitoring activities will continue.

Next Week - Anticipated Work - 6/3/02 through 6/7/02

Utility Work

1. House-side Utility Line Installation-
   1. CVC utility work and other AOC work will continue in the eastern portion of this zone and along Southeast Drive.
   2. House Egg - Excavation and utility installation in this area will continue.
2. Senate-side Utility Line Installation -
   1. CVC excavation and utility installation work will continue immediately east and south of the Senate steps near the Carriageway. Traffic has been rerouted slightly around this activity.
   2. CVC excavation and utility installation will continue along Northeast Drive. There will continue to be no parking on Northeast Drive until other AOC work, not related to the CVC, is completed in this area.
   3. CVC excavation and utility installation work adjacent to the Senate steps will be completed.
   4. CVC excavation and utility installation will occur on the West Lawn and construction fencing will be installed.

Alternate Media Sites

CVC construction requires the temporary closure of both the Senate and House media sites within the north (swamp site) and south (Elm site) eggs, respectively. Temporary alternate sites are being established for the Senate media in Upper Senate Park near Delaware Avenue, and the House media on the northwest terrace of the Cannon Building.

1. House Media Site - Work on the platform and connecting utilities will begin on the Cannon terrace.
2. Senate Media Site - Work on the platform will begin at the media site location in Upper Senate Park.

Historic Preservation

1. House-side Historic Preservation - Crews will continue to catalogue the historic landscape features around the House egg in preparation for their removal and storage.
2. Senate-side Historic Preservation - Crews will continue removing historic landscape features along the southeast quadrant of the Senate egg.

Tree Maintenance - Tree monitoring activities will continue.

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

If you experience any problems with building services inside the Capitol, please contact the Capitol Building Service Center.