By Tom Weber, KMWU

St. Louis, MO – Construction will begin next week to join the two main staircases at the Gateway Arch in one single stairway. Currently grass lies between the two staircases.

The head of maintenance at the Arch, David Bubac, says a single staircase that could double as an amphitheatre was part of the original plans for the riverfront monument, but the money hasn't been available until now.

"This gives us more area for people to sit if there's going to be exhibits or if they're going to have concerts on the grand staircase overlook stage, which belongs to the city," Bubac said. "It completes one of the final landscape chaptesr of the park."

The $2.5 million project is scheduled to be finished by late spring 2003.

Send questions and comments about this story to feedback@stlpublicradio.org.