State Capitol Steps Undergo Emergency Repair
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- The Minnesota State Capitol restoration project continued this week, even though the Legislature returned on Tuesday for the 2016 session.
Lawmakers were able to see for themselves the massive project-- including an unexpected emergency repair of the State Capitol steps.
No one expected to find the extensive water damage hidden beneath the sweeping Capitol stairs outside the building.
"A worker walking down these steps when work began -- a tread crumbled under him," said Jason McMillen, the Capitol project manager for JE Dunn Construction Company. "That's when we decided to take a close look into it."
McMillen said they discovered that 100 years of water leaked into and below the massive granite stairs, one step away from a dangerous collapse.
On a surprise scale of 1 to 10?
"A 10," McMillen said.
The heavy stone stairs rested on limestone so wet and brittle, it breaks off in your hand.
Inspections revealed disintegrating brick and plaster everywhere.
Using giant cranes, workers removed 1200 slabs of granite stairs and patio slabs, 1500 to 20,000 pounds each.
Now stacked neatly outside, and individually numbered.
"You can't even get them this big anymore," McMillen said.
Crews removed crumbling stone, and added water protection, a new drainage system and concrete stair supports.
The new life expectancy of the 100 year old Capitol stairs?
"These will last 100 more years," McMillen says.
The 3-year Capitol restoration project will be completed in 2017.