Capitol restoration: Original copper roof needs to be replaced [View all]

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