Metrodome Roof Nearly Clear Of Snow And Ice

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  -- Workers are finally close to clearing the Metrodome roof of snow and ice so that more substantial repair work can get underway.

The executive director of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission says that crews hope to have the roof clear of remaining snow and ice by the end of the day on Wednesday. He says it's still not clear how long total repairs will take, whether it will involve replacing damaged panels or replacing the roof entirely, and how much it will all cost.

Three panels were damaged in a blizzard earlier this month and a fourth ripped a few days later. On Monday, engineers used a shotgun to blow out a fifth panel that was under stress from a load of ice and officials say a few additional panels may be candidates for replacement.

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