Capitol gets its first earthquake 'cushion'

The technology isn't new but has improved since the Salt Lake City and County Building installed the first-ever such system in 1987. Brent Rowley, general superintendent of the Capitol project, said today's isolators are about 40 inches wide, compared to 18 inches then.

Besides the installation of the base isolators, the renovation project includes other reinforcement of the building, such as huge steel girders. Much of the first floor of the building had to be ripped out to make way for the work.

Still to come are reinforcements to the building's walls and structural features, to make them more likely to withstand a seismic event. There are cosmetic changes planned for the building, too, as part of the four-year project.

So far, the project is on schedule, and it should stay that way if the base isolator installation continues to go smoothly.

"If we can get through these 20 months," Hart said, "we'll be in great shape."

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