Washington Monument Closure Extended 10 Days or More

WASHINGTON, DC — The problem-plagued Washington Monument, which has regularly stranded visitors this year when its elevator breaks down, will be closed for at least the next 10 days due to ongoing mechanical issues, the National Park Service said Friday.

The monument was shut down Thursday after a cable caused the elevator to malfunction, trapping an employee and several visitors at the top. They were all forced to walk down 500 feet of stairs to leave the monument.

That incident came only a few days after a power outage caused the elevator to shut down last weekend.

The National Park Service said the monument would be closed Friday to further investigate the cause of Thursday's malfunction. However, on Friday, authorities said on Twitter that the monument would be closed for at least the next 10 days for "a thorough evaluation of the elevator to determine the cause of its recent failures."

The Washington Monument was damaged in the Washington, D.C., area's 2013 earthquake and was subsequently closed for some time for repairs. It reopened about two years ago and since has been shut down frequently for malfunctions with the elevator and other mechanical difficulties.

An investigation by WJLA estimates the glitchy elevator has caused the monument to shut down at least 14 times in the past 21 months. If it is determined that the elevator needs to be replaced, it could cost as much as $1 million and force the monument's closure for up to six months.

WJLA reports the current elevator has been in operation for around 15 years, though the previous elevator lasted for 30 years.

Image courtesy of National Park Service