UPDATE: U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Reopens After Evacuation

UPDATE 11:15 a.m.:

The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center has been cleared for re-entry, according to the Senate Sergeant at Arms Office. All area roadways are now open.

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The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center is being evacuated Tuesday morning, due to an audible alarm, according to a message posted to Twitter by the Senate Sergeant at Arms Office.

The Office is advising that staff should respond to assigned assembly areas and report to their OECs (Office of Emergency Communications).

The Sergeant at Arms Office posted the advisory to Twitter just before 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center is the newest addition to the U.S. Capitol complex. At nearly 580,000 square feet, the Visitor Center is the largest project in the Capitol’s more than two-century history and is approximately three quarters the size of the Capitol itself. The entire facility is located underground on the east side of the Capitol so as not to detract from the appearance of the Capitol and the grounds.

Patch will update when more information becomes available.