Engineers are removing parts of a pinnacle from the top of the Washington National Catheral to enable repairs on the stonework damaged by the 5.8-magnitude earthquake in August. Sections from two other spires have already been removed.

Scaffolding was built up around the spire on Thursday for the work. The cathedral will eventually get an inspection from the same engineers who recently rapelled the Washington Monument looking for quake damage. Repairs are estimated to cost as much as $25 million. Cathedral officials told the Associated Press they need to raise at least $15 million for the initial work.

Recommended Stories

The military’s $1 billion drone plan to take on China — and how it hopes it never has to use them

Israeli conservative parties lose last-ditch bid to extend voting as election sees record turnout

Daily on Energy: Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi defends EPA research office reorganization