Barriers In Store For State Capitol

California will spend as much as $4 million to ring the state Capitol with barriers. The effort comes three years after a mentally ill truck driver crashed his big rig into the historic building. State architects hope no one will notice.

Their plan is to create a ring around the Capitol using wrought iron-looking posts, cables hidden in hedges, and reinforced concrete planters that they intend to blend into the Capitol park landscaping.

The barrier would be strong enough to slow or stop a runaway vehicle, or a driver intent on doing damage to the Capitol and its occupants.

The state may spend another $2 million to build pavilions on the north and south sides of Capitol where visitors can be screened with metal detectors before they enter the building.