Capitol's south side entrances closed

The Missouri Capitol's just-beginning renovation project has caused the south doors to be closed until further notice.

Office of Administration spokeswoman Ryan Burns said the closing, which began Friday, includes the carriage drive doors, the doors on both sides of the carriage drive and the bronze doors at the top of the south stairs.

"Capitol employees, and individuals doing business with the state, still can access the building during business hours from all other assigned employee entrances," Burns said in a news release. "Capitol visitors can access the building from the east and west entrances during standard hours of tour operations - Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

"ADA access will be available through the Capitol garage, at the lower level of the east side of the building."

Lawmakers this year approved spending $40 million for Capitol repairs, to "bring the building's sub-structure back to serviceable condition after years of water infiltration," Burns explained, "and to address the deteriorating stonework on the exterior of the Capitol."

The building was built a century ago, after a lightning-caused fire demolished the previous Capitol in 1911. The current building was completed in 1917.