Good fences make good capitols

Gov. Beverly Perdue promised an open administration.

But even she has to contend with a fence now and then.

The capitol building now sports sections of six-foot chain-link fencing designed to keep pedestrians off the sidewalk, which is being torn up and replaced as part of a long-term repair project.

Perdue spokeswoman Chrissy Pearson said that the fences will likely be up for a few months, but she said it should not hurt citizen access to the capitol.

"It may change the approach they come in, but it won't block their access," she said.

She added that the impetus for the project was complaints that the aging and cracked sidewalks have caused some people to trip in fall. 

Workers are also taking care to make sure the disabled have a ramp at all times to get into the capitol.