The famous American landmark, the Statue of Liberty in New York City has been closed since Superstorm Sandy hit on October 29. Now the National Park Service has announced that Lady Liberty will open by the 4th of July.
"Sandy inflicted major damage on facilities that support the Statue of Liberty - destroying the docks, crippling the energy infrastructure on Ellis Island and wiping out the security screening system - but we are fully committed to reopening this crown jewel as soon as it's safe for visitors and not a second later," Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said in a statement according to USA Today. "Based on the tremendous progress we have made, Lady Liberty will be open to the public in time for the July 4th celebration."
Salazar pointed out how important the Statue of Liberty is to the New York economy, especially after Hurricane Sandy. According to a park service report, 3.7 million people visited the landmark in 2011. This tourism boost brought in $174 to the economy and supported 2,218 jobs.
The Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island have to undergo some repairs following the storm. About three-fourths of Liberty Island was flooded when Sandy hit. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Lands Highways Program will fund repairs to the docks that are needed to transport tourists to the island. This is part of a $28 million project to repair the roads and bridges in federal park areas of New York and New Jersey which were damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
Hurricane Sandy hit just one day after the Statue of Liberty turned 126. The crown had just opened for the occasion after it was closed for about a year and it got a $30 million safety upgrade which included things like fire alarms, sprinkler systems and exit routes.
It is not clear if the crown will be open as well. When Liberty Island opens, visitors 62 and older will have to pay a $14 ferry fee to get to the island, adults 13 and older will pay $17, children 4-12 will pay $9 and children four and under are free.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
