Hard hatted and ready for the tour, Gilbane Company Senior Manager Dennis P. Murray told us working on the Capitol project has become a family affair–they have all enjoyed watching the progress as the grand project nears completion in 2007.

Governor Tim Kaine greeted the Capitol Square workers first in English, then in Spanish before our tour of the tunnel and the Capitol.

Original layers going back to the 1906-07 wing additions are revealed along with original fabric dating to the late 18th century.

DGS Director Richard F. Sliwoski (second from right) describes the exterior process to Governor Tim Kaine (to his left)

We go down the hill to Bank Street to enter the new visitors entrance that leads to a tunnel underground up to the Capitol. DGS Director of Communications Susan Pollard is second from right.

Courtesy Department of General Services–an artist¹s interpretation of what the finished entrance on Bank Street will look like. This will present Thomas Jefferson’s “temple on a hill” image in a 21st century way.

Bank Street entrance at the bottom of Capitol Square will be where the general public and school groups will begin entering the Capitol in 2007.

Department of General Services Director Rich Sliwoski (center) tells Governor Kaine (l) more about the underground visitors center; Governor’s Press Secretary Delacey Skinner is at right.

Our steel–toed construction shoes got a good workout with the scaffolds we climbed at every turn. This was a steep ascent to the top of the Capitol where we saw paintings and carvings not seen in some time. Some were long forgotten.

The complete retrofitting and renovation of the Capitol was long overdue, and is being done with the latest technologies available. Although Capitol Square has looked like a war zone for a couple of years now, it will have been well worth the effort once it is completed.

Governor Tim Kaine (center) had to rush off to an event in Danville, but seemed excited about the progress being made, and looking forward to the dust settling (he lives less than a block away in the Executive Mansion) in 2007.

A street level view of the covered tunnel that now leads to the Capitol Visitors Center and Capitol itself. It will become landscaped again, and will regain its preconstruction elegance.