State Capitol Shutdown Doesn't Bother Tourists

Darren Brown, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A water main break that sent thousands of state workers home had just the opposite effect on tourists at the state Capitol.

The break affected water pressure in northeast and northwest parts of Oklahoma City.  Low pressure meant that the chillers in the Capitol complex's physical plant couldn't keep up with the high temperatures and couldn't deliver any cool air.  Most state agencies started sending workers home at noon.

Steven Spiegel and Gil Skolnick though, weren't discouraged by the heat.  They're on a cross-country tour of Route 66 from Boston to Los Angeles, stopping to visit each state Capitol.  Neither knew quite what to expect at Oklahoma's capitol, but they did expect a little more action.

"Maybe see some senators, some local congressmen y'know, see it bustling at least," Spiegel said.  "There's no bustle.  We're like 'What's going on in Oklahoma?'"

"Usually the best way to see a state is to see the state house," said Skolnick.  "And this is the quietest we've seen."

City crews are hopeful that the water main break can be fixed by Tuesday afternoon, with water pressure being restored soon after.