A $10 million repair project has begun on the Iowa Capitol's golden dome. Siouxland Public Media has more.
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The dome suffers from failing joints and cracks in the mortar, which are compounded by moisture problems from water leaking from outside and from humidity from large crowds inside, The project was authorized by the Legislature last year, but the start of work was delayed until this spring, to allow time for architects to prepare detailed drawings and specifications. Money for the dome repairs is coming from funds left over from a bond issues. Construction crews have started preliminary work on the restoration project, which isn't scheduled to be completed until the fall of 2018. The dome will not need to be re-gilded. The center dome is made of iron and brick and covered with real 23-carat gold. For Siouxland Public Media, I’m Mary Hartnett.