Workers reinflate Metrodome roof

By: Associated Press July 13, 2011 1:45 pm

Construction workers monitor the Metrodome roof as it is inflated during a test of the repaired Teflon ceiling on Wednesday in Minneapolis. The stadium's roof collapsed under the weight of snow during a heavy storm in December. The work began in March and is set to be finished by early next month. (AP Photo/Star Tribune, Elizabeth Flores)

By ?DAVE CAMPBELL
AP Sports Writer

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Metrodome’s new roof is up again.

Stadium officials and construction workers have completed a test inflation of the Teflon-coated ceiling. Chief engineer Steve Maki said the process was problem-free. It took about an hour Wednesday morning. The project is scheduled to be finished in a few weeks, in time for the Vikings to play their first preseason game.

Workers were inside with poles to make sure the inner lining didn’t get caught, and others were harnessed to the top of the roof to monitor the slow rise.

The work began in March. The old roof collapsed in December under the weight of snow during a heavy storm, forcing the Vikings to play their final two home games elsewhere.

The roof replacement cost about $23 million. It’s covered by insurance.