Large ADA-Compliant Elevator Among Accessibility Upgrades at Pennsylvania Capitol

A 20-person-capacity, American with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant elevator is among accessibility upgrades in store for the East Wing of the Pennsylvania State Capitol building in Harrisburg, the state Department of General Services (DGS) reports. A pair of problematic escalators, on which the DGS said it has spent nearly US$250,000 over the past five years to maintain and repair, will be replaced by a grand staircase connecting the East Wing concourse and the first floor. Prior to removal of the escalators, the large elevator will be built first, replacing an existing spiral staircase in the rotunda. Demolition of the spiral staircase is scheduled for July, with construction of a new elevator shaft following between August and October. The new elevator is scheduled for installation between October 2024 and February 2025. The work is part of an up to US$4 million project slated for completion in August 2025 that also includes new LED lighting and cafeteria improvements.