Get A Bird's-Eye View From The Top Of The Washington Monument In D.C.
WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- It's a view of the Washington Monument in D.C. like you've never seen before.
This week crews topped off the scaffolding needed to fix damage caused by 2011's earthquake.
Monique Griego has incredible video from a worker's helmet cam.
To some, the work might seem terrifying. But 555 feet in the air, there's no denying the view is incredible.
The National Park Service just released video from a camera mounted on a worker's helmet.
It shows crews putting in place the last of the scaffolding needed to repair damages to Washington Monument in D.C. caused by 2011's earthquake.
"The work itself is difficult. Getting there is even more difficult," said Carol Johnson, National Park Service.
The scaffolding started to go up in February. Thousands of braces, screws and frames later, crews top off the last of it. While getting it in place was a massive undertaking, the scaffolding only acts as a platform so the real repairs can be done.
It was August 23, 2011 when an earthquake rocked the East Coast. Video from inside the monument shows tourists and a park ranger fleeing for safety as the structure shook violently and granite and marble rained from above.
"As it started to shake, I was absolutely terrified," said Niki Williams, park ranger. "I began to hear noises coming from the elevator, noises I've never heard before."
Structural engineers who inspected the monument found massive cracks, missing stone and mortar and slipped panels of marble.
The total cost for repairs is estimated to be $15 million. Now with the scaffolding up to the top, work is expected to begin in three weeks. So crews can once again get a peak at the amazing view.
"If everything goes well, then we could be done by late 2013," said Carol Johnson, National Park Service.
The monument, which is normally visited by about 600,000 visitors each year, is scheduled to reopen next spring.
