Courtesy of dcsplicer via Flickr Creative Commons

The Washington Monument has been underconstruction for the last two and a half years following an earth quake in 2011.

The Washington Monument reopened on Monday, May 12 after several years and $15 million of repairs. People were lined up waiting to climb the 555 foot obelisk as early as 7:30 a.m. on Monday, the first time tourists have been allowed to enter the monument since it was damaged by the 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the East Coast on Aug. 23, 2011. The quake caused the monument to whipsaw violently, shaking stone loose from the surface, and creating wide cracks in the structure. Security camera footage from the time of the quake shows debris falling from the ceiling as terrified tourists fled the shaking structure.

The repair project included 2.7 miles of new sealant between stones, and 53 stainless steel “saddle anchors” meant to hold slabs in place on the monument’s slanted pyramidion in case of another earthquake.

Local philanthropist and co-founder of the Carlyle group, David Rubenstein was present at the ceremony Monday, prior to the opening of the monument to tourists. Rubenstein, who donated $7.5 million to the landmark’s restoration was joined at the ceremony by Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, and D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray. 

“This is just a down payment on paying back what the country has done for me and my family,” Rubenstein said.