Officials from the US Park service have been performing a condition assessment of the St. Louis Gateway Arch. In particular, workers are trying to assess the level of corrosion (if any) of the stainless steel on the interior curved surface of the famous structure, where no one has set foot before.
A team was able to repel from the top of the 630-foot tall landmark down the north leg to the ground. Along the way, they checked every weld on that side. Four of the workers were set to use guide wires and suction cups to continue down the interior curved surface to inspect some staining, but the crew had to stop due to excessive heat from midday sun on the stainless steel “skin” of the arch.
Work will continue on the upside down weighted catenary arch today. A team is planned to repel down the north leg to around 450 feet, then around the inside and down to the stain. Then will then have to climb all the way back to the 630-foot top of the arch.