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Inside Look at National Cathedral Repairs

WTOP Staff | WTOP_Web_Team@wtop.com

August 22, 2013, 5:02 PM

On the second anniversary of the 2011 earthquake, the National Cathedral is still millions of dollars away from completing repairs to the damaged sections of the building, officials say.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)
WTOP/Alicia Lozano
The 5.8 magnitude earthquake caused $26 million of damage to the historic Gothic building. To date, the Cathedral has raised $10 million.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)
WTOP/Alicia Lozano
Scaffolding has been installed in the nave for work to begin on the vaulted ceiling.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)
WTOP/Alicia Lozano
The scaffolding in place to restore the vaulted ceiling will also provide an opportunity for preservation and cleaning. Decades-old stains from a leaky roof will be cleaned in the process.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)
WTOP/Alicia Lozano
Stone masons and structural engineers will examine the vaulted ceiling, which is approximately 100 feet above the Cathedral's stone floor.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)
WTOP/Alicia Lozano
The engineering team will be up on the rolling towers next week. It will conduct a detailed assessment and survey of every square inch of the ceiling. That process may take 18 months.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)
WTOP/Alicia Lozano
Head stone mason Joe Alonso points to some of the damage seen from inside the National Cathedral's tower.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)
WTOP/Alicia Lozano
To date, about $3 million in repairs have been completed to the National Cathedral following the Aug. 23, 2011 5.8 magnitude earthquake.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)
WTOP/Alicia Lozano
Despite the ongoing construction, the National Cathedral will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington Saturday, Aug. 24. Click here for more information.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)
WTOP/Alicia Lozano
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