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The elevator that goes to the top of the Washington Monument malfunctioned at about 1 p.m. this afternoon, with a number of tourists who had already reached the viewing area still inside the building.
National Park Service spokesperson Bill Line said that visitors who were already at the 500 foot level of the monument are being given a choice of walking down with the assistance of NPS rangers, or remaining at the top until the elevator is repaired. No one is actually stuck inside the malfunctioning elevator at this time, which according to Line is now at the bottom of the monument awaiting repair. No injuries have been reported.
As for anyone who had tickets to visit the Washington Monument this afternoon, Line admits they "may be inconvenienced." The National Park Service does not allow anyone to walk to the top of the monument. Line said that as soon as the elevator can be repaired, it will be operational again.
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to quote buggs bunny
"first step's a Doooozy!"
I really like the last line of this article. I get Line is referring to the monument itself, but taken out of context, it sounds like Yogi Berra wrote it.
"Line said that as soon as the elevator can be repaired, it will be operational again." Once we fix it, it will be fixed.
I guess you could say anyone visiting the monument today really got shafted.
I suspect there's more to this story. Did the elevator hit a Metro employee on the way down?
No, but due to the situation at the Washington Monument, trains are sharing the same track between Federal Triangle and L'Enfant Plaza. Expect Orange and Blue line delays in both directions.
That's too many characters for a Tweet. It should be:
No, but due to the situation at the Washington Monument, trains are sharing the same track between Federal Triangle and L'Enfant Plaza. Expe
well played
Good question. And instead of closing the monument entirely while repairs are being made, why can't they single-shaft it, or offer zip-wire shuttle service from the top of the Smithsonian castle?
Zip wire shuttle service from the top of the Smithsonian castle - that might be one of the best ideas I've seen on the comment boards. Would definitely add a lot more excitement to the average family vacation to DC.
Base jumping! (and bungie for the kiddies)
Please let it be some of the 9/12 folks stuck in the monument.
Sadly, they were probably all uninsured, laid-off auto-workers: The trifecta patrons of the economic collapse.
oh my gosh I'm soo jealous. I always wanted to do this. I asked the park ranger a few weeks back when I went up at night (first time I had been up there in about 10 years) and she said that they stopped letting people walk down about a year ago due to vandalism.
The inside is pretty awesome, and for those locals who haven't been since they installed the new elevators should really go.