Portions of the State Capitol State Park grounds will be closed from early February 2018 through December 2019 while new accessible doors and walkways are installed at the east and west entrances to the Capitol. All east and west entrances will be closed at times during the project. The south entrance on State Street and the north entrance on Court Street will not be affected, and a temporary ADA ramp and door will be installed at the south entrance. The work is part of the two-year, $59.9 million Capitol Accessibility, Maintenance and Safety (CAMS)project, approved by the 2016 Legislative Assembly to address Americans with Disabilities Act deficiencies; at-risk mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; and security and safety issues in the 1938 Capitol building. The project also calls for adding an accessible entry and pathway to the main entrance on Court Street in spring 2019. Contractors will fence off the area around the east and west entrances this month where work will occur. Crews will remove landscaping and five trees to make way for two short gravel roads for dump trucks, cranes and other equipment to use to access the building. The area will be re-landscaped at project completion. To make way for the west side gravel road, the Walk of Flags area will also be fenced off and all flags removed, along with about half of the flag poles and monuments. Oregon State Parks reminds visitors that they are welcome to observe the work from a distance, but to respect all safety fences and directions from the project crew. More information on the project is available at https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/cams or contact Project Manager Marina Cresswell (marina.cresswell@oregonlegislature.gov, 503-986-1744).
