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.
This post was last modified on 01/31/2009 4:31 pm