Scaffolding taking down

On October 1st the contractors removed the scaffolding that has surrounded the Arch since construction started. For the first time, viewers could see the whole arch at once, and previously hidden elments such as the finial shown below.

The Mandarin language characters in the centre panel say Ottawa Chinatown. The removed scaffolding reveals the four mythical beasts -- two at the base of each column -- that guard the Arch. The beasts are a combination of lion and tiger and other ferocious animals. The two guardian lion sculptures have not yet been exposed, they are still covered with protective wood hoarding.

The electrical utility poles at the left are non-functional, ie they do not carry electricity. The electric service stops at the corner of Cambridge. These are left-over poles that haven't been removed because the city-owned utility wants too much money to remove them. Ottawa remains one of the more curious places in the world, in  that it finds overhead wiring inoffensive and indeed features it on otherwise totally rebuilt and landscaped streets.

The Lions and Dragons Arrive

The stone lion and dragons are installed at the base of the supporting pillars.

Preparing to install the stone paving around the base of the pillars.

Close up of lion and carved base. It is very hot and heavy work installing so much stone and concrete in plus 30 C weather.

Polished stone pavers cemented into place. With the final polishing of the pavers, the work of the Chinese artisans is almost finished. They return to China on Monday, before heading off to New Zealand for the next arch project.

Later, another cast of artisans arrive to apply 17 coats of paint to the exposed concrete parts of the arch. This will include paint with real gold in it.

Preparing for the gateway pillars

The Arch will be located on Somerset between Bronson and Cambridge. One leg will be by the City parking lot (former Grad's tavern before it burned down) and the other in front of Sushi 88 - Brown Raw Sugar restuarant.

The sidewalks have already been removed in preparation for construction.

A large saw cut in the curb side lane on each side of Somerset marks where the pavement is to be removed. A "bulb out" will be constructed, permanently  narrowing Somerset to two traffic lanes. The bulb out is where the supporting pillars of the Arch will be built, the lions on pedestals installed, and four decorative new style lamps. The pillars are expected to be in place by May 15th.

Lions resting behind Yangtze

There is a large vacant lot behind the Yangtze Restaurant at the corner of Somerset and Cambridge Streets. The lot is being used to cast the concrete elements for the Arch, and to store these stone pieces shipped from China.

Two lions in the background, a pair of small dragons in the left foreground.

Lions and pedestals arrive from China

There will be two decorative lions on pedestals facing east at the base of the Royal Arch. Watawa Life covered the arrival of the lions:

http://www.robink.ca/blog/where-the-lions-are/

click on the above link to see the photos.