Government Buildings

U.S. Capitol dome’s cracks to be repaired during $60 million renovation

Rings of scaffolding will start to rise this spring around the cast-iron dome of the U.S. Capitol in Washington as part of a $60 million renovation project to repair more than 1,300 cracks. In addition to the scaffolding, a work area will be erected on the roof of the building, while the cracks are repaired with a lock and stitch technique. Lead paint will be removed from the structure.
Dec. 27, 2013
66fb167a523018fae4076022 Dome

Rings of scaffolding will start to rise this spring around the cast-iron dome of the U.S. Capitol in Washington as part of a $60 million renovation project to repair more than 1,300 cracks. In addition to the scaffolding, a work area will be erected on the roof of the building, while the cracks are repaired with a lock and stitch technique. Lead paint will be removed from the structure.

The leaky, cast-iron dome is "like having a bridge as the roof of your building," said Kevin Hildebrand, head of the Architect of the Capitol’s Architecture Division. If constructed today, the iconic structure would probably be built with steel and glass, Hildebrand said, not 8.9 million pounds of cast iron. The entire project should be wrapped up within two years, he predicted, “certainly before the next presidential inauguration.”

(http://www.rollcall.com/news/architect_of_the_capitol_previews_dome_restoration-229800-1.html)

About the Author

Drew Ballensky

Drew Ballensky is general manager of Duro-Last Roofing, Inc.’s central U.S. facility in Iowa and company spokesman for Duro-Last’s cool roofing, sustainability and architectural education programs. He is past-president of the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association and chairman of CFFA’s Vinyl Roofing Division. Drew earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from the University of Northern Iowa and master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University. Drew has over 29 years experience in business and industry in various engineering and managerial capacities. He has worked in the U.S. and Canadian operations for a major international manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings, was a financial analyst with a major athletic apparel manufacturer and was an owner of a general contracting company.
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