Prepared by the Capitol Visitor Center Project Office, Architect of the Capitol, September 16, 2002

This Week - Ongoing Work - 9/16/02 through 9/20/02

The majority of CVC related construction activity is now occurring within the construction fence and the site is secured by the U.S. Capitol Police.

East Front Plaza Work (Inside the Construction Fence)

• Earth-moving activities continue at several locations across the East Plaza. Initial excavation has been completed from the central portion of the Plaza to the Senate Steps.

House Side (Outside the Construction Fence)

• Perimeter security work activities continue along Southeast Drive. Parking is available along Southeast Drive and vehicles can exit the end of Southeast Drive at First St. SE and Independence Ave. The sidewalks on both sides of Southeast Drive are open. Construction of the central planter will continue.
• The South Door, the House Steps and the House Carriageway Door remain accessible to pedestrians throughout construction.

Senate Side (Outside the Construction Fence)

• Crews will erect temporary vehicle and pedestrian canopies just north of and adjacent to the Senate Carriageway. The work will be completed during this weekend (Sept. 21-22). A drive-thru lane and drop-off area below the canopy near the Carriageway door will be marked. On Monday, Sept. 23, 2002, the Senate Carriageway will be closed to vehicular traffic until CVC construction is completed.
• Over the next several weeks, truck traffic along Constitution Avenue may increase from approximately 30 trucks a day to 40 trucks a day, with each truck making 5-6 trips a day. The flow of vehicles to the site is being regulated to minimize disturbance to the normal traffic flow along Constitution Avenue.
• Perimeter security is completed along the sidewalk at the east end of Northwest Drive (near the Barricade Entrance). The sidewalk is now fully open.
• The North Door, the Senate Steps and the Senate Carriageway Door remain accessible to pedestrians throughout construction.

Next Week - Anticipated Work - 9/23/02 through 9/27/02

East Front Plaza Work (Inside the Construction Fence)

• Site excavation will continue in locations throughout the East Plaza.

House Side (Outside the Construction Fence)

• Perimeter security work along Southeast Drive will near completion. Construction of the central planter will continue through October.

Senate Side (Outside the Construction Fence)

• On Monday, Sept. 23, 2002, the Senate Carriageway will be closed to vehicular traffic until CVC construction is completed. Temporary canopies near the Carriageway Entrance will be in place.

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.