Classified construction upsets neighbors of Cheney residence

WASHINGTON -- Neighbors of Vice President Dick Cheney are being shaken and rattled at least once a day by mysterious blasts at the U.S. Naval Observatory where Cheney lives.

The Navy says the explosions are part of a construction project that has been going on for several months now, but won't say more because the project is classified.

Navy spokeswoman Cate Mueller described the work as an "infrastructure improvement, a utility upgrade."

She said they have tried to reassure the neighborhood that the blasts will not damage their homes. She said most understand that, because of national security concerns, they can't reveal details or confine the construction to a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule.

Joseph Rieser, who lives a half-block off Observatory Circle, said each blast was "almost like thunder because it rolls and it lasts a noticeable period, probably several seconds." It said the explosions rattle windows that aren't shut tight.