Be alert for big vehicles when traversing the Senate side of the Capitol grounds on Monday.

Beginning at 7 a.m., trucks will be entering the North Gate, and driving down the pedestrian sidewalk that traces the Senate side of the Capitol. The drivers are transporting loads of gravel to the construction staging area on the West Front as Architect of the Capitol crews get to work on the $59.5-million Capitol Dome restoration project.

Deliveries are expected to conclude around 4 p.m.

In the meantime, keep an eye out for workers sporting neon vests and hard hats. They will be flagging pedestrians and trucks to maintain a safe traffic flow.

Workers will spread the gravel around the base of the staging area and form a gravel road entrance to the West Front construction site — laying the groundwork for the vertical scaffold towers that will rise around the 150-year-old Capitol Dome this spring.

Bright orange fencing is still being installed on the Capitol lawn. Crews have already completed work to protect the surrounding trees and underground utilities during construction. The area is undergoing an extensive field survey as the AOC finalizes work plans before the scaffolding is assembled.

By the end of March, the Capitol community will see the first signs of restoration work inside the Capitol. Starting March 29, crews will go to work in the Rotunda, protecting the floor, art and statues. The Rotunda is scheduled to close from April 12 through April 28 for installation of protective netting. Capitol Hill employees recently received instructions on an alternate tour route for those visiting the Capitol during the 17-day closure.