Capitol Dome’s Rotunda reopens

The Architect of the Capitol announced on Thursday that the Rotunda has reopened after a small piece of protective padding from the walls fell.

The Rotunda was closed for about an hour.

“The Architect of the Capitol directed the Dome Restoration contractor to more securely fasten the padding. They also performed a thorough inspection of the scaffolding and canopy, which were found to be secure,” the architect’s office said in a statement.

{mosads}Some reports on Twitter said the debris almost hit someone. U.S. Capitol Police Public Information Officer Shennell Antrobus told The Hill that no one was injured.

The closure was “out of an abundance of caution to allow inspections to the protective canopy in the Rotunda after a small piece of protective padding between the scaffold and Rotunda walls dislodged,” the architect said earlier in the day.

The Rotunda’s interior is undergoing major restoration. Safety netting has been installed to protect the room.

The project will involve the removal of old paint, repainting and repairs to the cast iron and stone.

–This report was updated at 4:06 p.m.