Gateway Arch Museum Opening Delayed to Summer 2018
Date Posted: June 22, 2017
Posted In: Projects,
From St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Representatives of the agencies leading a $380 million renovation of the Gateway Arch grounds have announced another delay in finishing the project initially to be completed in 2015.
Specifically, the improved underground Museum of Westward Expansion set to open in October is now expected to be finished by “summer 2018,” the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, formerly CityArchRiver, said in a news release.
Construction on the Arch grounds began in August 2013. Work on the museum and visitor center began in April 2015.
“Delays occur when things are found, and we’ve been finding things like this throughout the project,” said Mike Ward, National Park Service superintendent of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.
Officials said the new delay is due to unforeseen conditions arising from construction underground, where the museum is located. The foundation noted the project is still expected to be at or under budget by the time it is completed.
There were delays building a tunnel between the old and new museum wings for hauling construction materials. The tunnel is being used so the old museum wing can remain open during construction without hauling materials through it.