On the north side of the CVC entrance zone, crews place fresh soil in planter beds that will soon be the home to 36 new Tulip Poplar trees.

On a platform 25 feet above the floor, workers continue assembling the metal framework for one of the three barrel-vaulted ceiling alcoves in the Great Hall.

Work on the ceilings continues to increase with the assembly of framework, installation of drywall and plaster, and priming of walls for finish paint.

On the East Front plaza, masons have begun setting granite pavers in a herringbone pattern along the curving walkway that lines the Senate egg.

Workers assemble a steel frame that will support a raised glass floor in the CVC Exhibition Hall.

Masons are nearing completion of stone installation in the upper level east lobby that looks over the Great Hall.

Workers remove formwork from around a concrete foundation that runs along the north wall of the Congressional Auditorium.

Workers in the north Orientation Theater install one of eight steel panels that will roll across the projection screen to allow the facility to be used for speaking engagements or other activities.

A worker installs ceiling framing around a skylight near the south Orientation Theater.

In the Great Hall, a worker secures metal studs in place for the vaulted ceiling above the entrance to the CVC Exhibition Hall.

A worker uses a power washer to clean a sandstone wall in the CVC Exhibition Hall.

A worker installs telecommunications conduit in the ceiling of the CVC Exhibition Hall.  The lines will connect House and Senate Expansion space.

A forklift is used to raise a heavy block of burgundy sandstone into place above the entrance threshold for the North Orientation Theater.

Utility connections are nearing completion in the East Capitol Street Utility Tunnel.

Workers apply plaster to drywall in the House Expansion Space.

Before grouting, workers apply a liquid stone filler between dolomite floor stones in a corridor at the south end of the Great Hall.

The East Front Plaza as it appeared on Friday, January 27, 2005.

A view of the Great Hall looking east.

Along the north wall of the Congressional Auditorium, workers assemble formwork for a concrete foundation that will support a stepped walkway leading to the CVC entrance.

Two sandstone columns, similar to the columns in the Crypt of the Capitol, now mark the entrance to the CVC Exhibition Hall.

Masons execute some final cuts on Tennessee Marble base stone to be installed in the upper level lobby outside the Orientation Theaters.

Masons install a granite block to the south exterior wall of the Congressional Auditorium.

Stone masons secure a sandstone block before it is raised for installation at the ceiling level of the Congressional Auditorium.

An early morning view of the East Front Plaza shows most of the 165,000 granite pavers that have been set thus far on the CVC roof deck.

A welder connects water lines inside the CVC utility tunnel.

Workers inside the Great Hall prepare to raise a sandstone block for one of the ceiling soffits between ceiling vaults.

A worker installs a portion of the ceiling support structure in a corridor near the Great Hall.

Masons prepare a sand and cement bed for granite pavers for the sidewalk leading to the Senate Carriageway and North Door.

CVC workers guide an escalator truss through a skylight in the Great Hall.

Stone masons set a Dolemite stone slab in a corridor leading to the Congressional Auditorium.

During a foggy Friday morning last week, stone masons prepare a sand and cement bed for granite paving stones in front of the Senate wing.

With the help of stilts, a worker (right) applies spackle to drywall in a lower level corridor on the south side of the Capitol Visitor Center.

Stone masons set a rough-cut granite block to the south exterior wall of the Congressional Auditorium.

Stone masons (top center) set large blocks of Pennsylvania sandstone between the columns of the Great Hall.

A worker assembles a metal stud support for the ceiling in the South Orientation Theater.