Washington Monument Pyramidion Inspection Complete

Washington Monument rappelling inspection to be complete next week

Engineers have completed an inspection of earthquake damage at the pyramid-like top of the Washington Monument, National Park Service officials said Friday.

Engineers also completed inspection of six levels of stone below the pyramidion. They went back out on the four faces of the monument again Friday.

The team is rappelling down the monument, removing loosened pieces of stone and mortar from numerous cracks. The work will continue through the weekend and is expected to be completed Tuesday, Park Service spokesman Bill Line said.

The main priority is to remove any loosened debris from the monument so that it doesn't fall and injure someone, Line said. He stressed that engineers say the monument is still structurally sound and not at risk of falling over.

Engineers returned to the building Friday morning and resumed rappelling operations.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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