Prepared by the Capitol Visitor Center Project Office, Architect of the Capitol, September 23, 2002

This Week - Ongoing Work - 9/23/02 through 9/27/02

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.
• Construction of guide-walls has begun on the north side of the site. The short concrete guide-walls will be constructed along the entire perimeter of the project footprint and will establish the channel in which specialized earth-moving equipment will excavate a trench for the CVC foundation walls.

House Side (Outside the Construction Fence)

• Perimeter security work activities continue along First Street SE. The sidewalk along the west side of First Street (opposite the Library of Congress) is temporarily closed. Work in this area is expected to be completed by the end of next week, Oct. 4, 2002. The east half of the sidewalk along the north side of Southeast Drive (near First Street SE) will be re-opened at that time.
• Construction of the central planter located north of the South Barricade Entrance continues.
• The South Door, the House Steps and the House Carriageway Door remain accessible to pedestrians throughout construction.

Senate Side (Outside the Construction Fence)

• A canopy has been erected just north of and adjacent to the Senate Steps. The Senate Carriageway has been closed to vehicular traffic until CVC construction is completed.
• The North Door, the Senate Steps and the Senate Carriageway Door remain accessible to pedestrians throughout construction.

Next Week - Anticipated Work - 9/30/02 through 10/4/02

East Front Plaza Work (Inside the Construction Fence)

• Site excavation will continue in locations throughout the East Plaza.
• Over the next several weeks, truck traffic to the site 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 around the Capitol.

House Side (Outside the Construction Fence)

• Perimeter security work along First Street is expected to be completed by the end of next week. The sidewalks along the west side of First Street (opposite the Library of Congress) and the north side of Southeast Drive will become available at that time.

Senate Side (Outside the Construction Fence)

• No significant activity scheduled at this time.

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.