Washington Monument to remain closed until 2019 for repairs

Dec 2 (Reuters) - The Washington Monument, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Washington, D.C., will likely remain closed to visitors until 2019, despite a pledge on Friday from the financier and philanthropist David Rubenstein to pay for the necessary repairs.

The 555-foot obelisk has been closed since August because of elevator problems. The National Park Service said the monument is expected to reopen to visitors in 2-1/2 years.

Rubenstein's gift will fund the $2 million to $3 million needed to modernize the elevator system, the service said. The agency is also seeking money in the federal budget to pay for a permanent security screening facility at the monument, which attracts about 600,000 visitors per year.

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