Washington ( CNN ) -- From end to end , the National Mall has looked like a construction site all summer , providing a detour instead of a destination for many tourists , joggers and other visitors . That will change this weekend , when the renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool at the west end will be filled to its new capacity . And fresh turf at the other end will soon be taking root ahead of January 's presidential Inauguration . `` It is indeed disruptive , '' said Bob Vogel , the National Park Service 's superintendent for the Mall area , acknowledging that for `` some people , this may be their first and only trip to Washington , D.C. , and we hate areas shut down . '' Especially in hot weather , the Reflecting Pool at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial draws visitors to sit by the water . But in a project that began in late 2010 , the pool was drained of 7 million gallons of water , the foundation dug up and removed , and , in the months that followed , a new concrete base poured and sealed . Most of the work is done , and as of Wednesday , `` the pool 's about half full , '' said Scott Stephenson of Corman Construction , the contractor doing the renovations . `` We have about , almost 2 million gallons of water to go yet . '' A year after quake , Washington Monument still under repair . Reflecting Pool should be refilled by weekend . Barring complications , pumps that are drawing water from the Tidal Basin along the Potomac River will have topped off the Reflecting Pool by this weekend . The old structure held more water , but filtering was poor , and the foundation was leaking . The new structure is shallower , with better filtration for less water , and the concrete floor is tinted to maintain its visual impact of reflection . At the east end of the Mall , nearest the U.S. Capitol , earth-moving equipment , mountains of topsoil and teams of construction crews are finishing some yard work that will create a more durable place for inaugural spectators and other gatherings . Two joggers stopped at a sign the park service had placed at the edge of the site to help people make sense of all the activity as visitors detour around temporary fences , concrete barriers and construction apparatus . `` It definitely gives us an uglier view as we run in the mornings , '' Diana Schneider said , `` and the dust , the noise level as well , so , yeah , it 's been here a while , and we ca n't wait to get finished . '' Turf ready for presidential inauguration in January . Vogel explained that crews `` are re-engineering the soil , we are collecting storm water in large cisterns , we have an irrigation system in place , and eventually we 'll be placing new sod '' to take root during the current growing season through autumn . `` We do think that this is going to lead to a better end product , and it 's going to sustain the Mall for future generations , '' Vogel said . He says the turf project must include the spring and summer months to help the newly planted grass thrive . The area has been a prime gathering point for a view to presidential inaugurations at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol . And Vogel says the turf will be ready for crowds by January . Farther along the Mall , the Washington Monument remains closed because of damage from an earthquake that took place a year ago , on August 23 , 2011 . The National Park Service will soon announce the contract for repairs to the obelisk . A reopening date for the monument has not been announced . Where to find exceptional America . What is your favorite site to visit in Washington ? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below .
Key areas have been closed to tourists since November 2010 . The renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is refilling now . Re-turfed area to be ready for presidential inauguration in January . Comment: