The north entrance of the Mississippi Capitol, one of only two public entrances to the building, will be closed for an estimated one year, the Daily Journal reported.

The closure will have the most impact during the upcoming three-month regular legislative session beginning Jan. 3 when visitation to the state Capitol increases significantly, noted the Journal’s Bobby Harrison.

The north entrance was fenced off Monday morning, forcing visitors who are not government workers to use the first floor doors on the south side the 171,000-square foot building, the article said. The south entrance is located below a massive stair case that leads to entrances on the second floor.

Many of the entrances to the building were closed to the public after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack. Public entrances are manned by Capitol police officers, the story noted.

The north entrance is closed for work on the terrace above the north entrance and the room, with its copper ceiling, below the terrace where the public entrance had been located. Like the rest of the building, the area has suffered water damage over the years, the report said.

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Co-editor of Mississippi Today since November 2015. USA TODAY reporter and editor, 1986-2015. The Clarion-Ledger reporter, 1977-83; on team that earned 1983 Pulitzer Prize For Distinguished Public Service. Ole Miss journalism degree, 1977. Contact: fred@mississippitoday.org