Crane Works in Fog at National Cathedral

Pinnacles damaged in August earthquake

A crane was once again working on the roof of the National Cathedral, working to pull pluck stonework off the roof.

Engineers are removing parts of a pinnacle at the top of the Washington National Cathedral that were damaged by the August earthquake.  The stone pieces weigh as much as 2-tons.

Scaffolding was built around the spires of the top of the tower, about 330 feet high Thursday. Sections of two other spires have already been removed.

Church officials say it will make the pinnacles and central tower more stable until stonework can be repaired.  The cost of the repairs, together with continued operating costs could add up to $25 million. 

Officials are accepting donations for the financial aftershocks here.

The Cathedral will eventually get an inspection from the team of rappelling engineers who inspected the Washington Monument after the 5.8-magnitude earthquake on Aug. 23.

The cathedral was completed in 1990 after 83 years of work. Cathedral officials have said they need to raise at least $15 million for initial repairs after the earthquake. It's scheduled to reopen for the first time Nov. 12.

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