Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said that the National Park Service is expected to reopen the Statue of Liberty to the public by July 4, 2013, after repairing the extensive damage to Liberty Island caused by Hurricane Sandy.
“Hurricane 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 Salazar said.
"Lady Liberty was hit hard by Superstorm Sandy, but just like New York, she will be back – and stronger than ever," said Senator Charles E. Schumer. "Being open for the summer tourism season isn't just important symbolically, it's a boon to the city's economy and businesses, as the statue attracts millions of tourists from all over the world to our shores. I thank Secretary Salazar for his extraordinary work – he was uncommonly focused on getting this job done, and the people of New York appreciate it."
"We worked together to address safety and security concerns to reopen the crown and now he has helped bring this national treasure back after Superstorm Sandy. The Statue of Liberty will stand as a symbol of the whole region rebuilding even better and stronger after the storm," said Senator Robert Menendez.
Salazar emphasized the importance of reopening the Statue to the New York economy. About 4 million people visited the park in 2011, generating $174 million in economic activity and supporting 2,218 jobs, according to an annual report released by the National Park Service.
"Across the country, our national parks are economic engines for local communities, with visitor spending providing a $30 billion benefit to the economy," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "By moving forward quickly with the repairs at the Statue of Liberty, we are giving a boost to communities here in New York who have been so badly hurt by Hurricane Sandy."
Repairs to the docks needed to transport visitors to Liberty Island are being funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Lands Highways Program, as part of $28 million committed to roads and bridges in federal parks and recreation areas in New York and New Jersey damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
Three days after taking office, Salazar visited the Statue of Liberty in January 2009 to announce that the crown, which had been closed following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, would be re-opened to visitors by the following 4th of July.