Capitol restoration: Original copper roof needs to be replaced

Construction workers restoring the Oklahoma Capitol will have to replace the building's large copper roof, which by far is the biggest unexpected expense so far in the years-long project.

Replacing the 45,000 square feet of copper will cost the state $9.3 million, but Project Manager Trait Thompson said he won't have to ask the Legislature for more money. The plan already has built-in funds for this kind of contingency.

"By the end of the project, we'll have a 100-percent complete new roof on the Capitol. The great thing about the copper roof is that it's historic, it's what was originally on the building, and it will also be a very long-lasting roof," said Thompson.

The primary contractor, Manhattan Construction, recently reviewed the next four years of expected work and reported that everything seems to be on budget.

Read more: https://newsok.com/article/5607424/capitol-restoration-original-copper-roof-needs-to-be-replaced