Colossal Cleanup in Italian Capital

After years of delay, work to reinforce and restore sections of the Colosseum, one of the most celebrated remains of the Roman Empire, should begin this summer, according to Adriano La Regina, the head of Rome’s antiquities preservation office.

The four-year project will be partly subsidized by a $25-million grant from the Bank of Rome. The Associated Press reported that the bank pledged the money in 1992 but the project was put off because of disputes among city officials on how to proceed.

The Colosseum (pictured right), parts of which are crumbling and blackened, has developed cracks from traffic vibration, and falling stonework has forced the closure of the upper walkway. Pollution also has taken a toll on the 2,000-year-old structure’s marble facade, and graffiti covers the walls.

The restoration--the first Colosseum project of any note in 143 years--will concentrate on removing layers of dirt, repairing the cracks between stones and rebuilding the vast wooden arena floor, which was excavated in the late 1870s. For the first time in more than 100 years, according to published reports, it will be possible to stand where the gladiators fought and thousands of people met their deaths.

The finished project also will include a new museum area and educational displays. At present, there is no information of any kind for visitors. The goal is to complete the job by 2000, when millions of tourists are expected to come to Rome to mark the new millennium.

Unlimited Mileage Makes a Return

Five of the nation’s largest car-rental companies have decided that free, unlimited mileage is the way to go after all.

Hertz, which had implemented fees of 25 cents per mile on travel over 100 miles a day in 52 cities, and Avis, which was planning to do the same at 21 locations this month, say they’ve canceled the programs. Both say they refuse to be “uncompetitive,” although Hertz says it will continue mileage-capped rates on minivans.

Alamo Rent a Car and Budget Rent a Car also are offering unlimited mileage but both also have added a limited-mileage option. That rate “is $4 or $5 less a day than the unlimited mileage [rate],” a spokeswoman said, “and is a good deal for those travelers who are not doing a lot of driving.”

National Car Rental, after a period of experimentation, also has decided to drop mileage caps on most cars, but is keeping them on specialty vehicles including vans, four-wheel drives and convertibles.

Car rental companies had looked to the fees as one way to cover increased overhead.

Seafair Sails Into Seattle

Seafair, Seattle’s biggest summertime festival, opens its 46th season Friday. The three-week festival of 55 family-oriented events--most of which are free--includes 23 parades, a daylong beach party on July 23, milk carton derby on July 15, the Texaco Cup Unlimited Hydroplane Races on Aug. 6, and a torchlight run and parade, featuring 120 lighted floats, on Aug. 4. Event information is available by calling (206) 728-0123.

West of Seattle, the battleship Missouri is hosting free public tours through Labor Day at its home port of Bremerton to commemorate the end of World War II. Visitors can travel from Seattle to Bremerton in less than an hour via the Washington State Ferries (walk-on round-trip fares are $3.50; round-trip fares for cars start at $14.20). Passenger ferries on the Bremerton waterfront link the Missouri with the destroyer Turner Joy, Naval Undersea Museum and other maritime attractions. Information: (800) 416-5615.