By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/construction-to-begin-soon-on-taller-white-house-fence Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Construction to begin soon on taller White House fence Nation Jun 7, 2019 2:48 PM EDT WASHINGTON — The White House is getting a new 13-foot fence, almost double its current height, to help keep intruders out. The Secret Service says the $64 million construction project will soon begin on what eventually will be a 13-foot, 1-inch fence, including wider and stronger pickets. The existing fence stands about 6-feet, 6 inches tall. The Secret Service, which provides security protection for the president and the White House, declined to provide details of the state-of-the-art security features it says will be part of the new barrier. Officials concluded that a taller fence was needed after a series of breaches of White House security, including in September 2014, when a Texas man carrying a knife scaled the fence, sprinted across the North Lawn and entered the White House. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The White House is getting a new 13-foot fence, almost double its current height, to help keep intruders out. The Secret Service says the $64 million construction project will soon begin on what eventually will be a 13-foot, 1-inch fence, including wider and stronger pickets. The existing fence stands about 6-feet, 6 inches tall. The Secret Service, which provides security protection for the president and the White House, declined to provide details of the state-of-the-art security features it says will be part of the new barrier. Officials concluded that a taller fence was needed after a series of breaches of White House security, including in September 2014, when a Texas man carrying a knife scaled the fence, sprinted across the North Lawn and entered the White House. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now