By COLlive reporter
The Statue of Liberty, one of the most iconic monuments of America and a symbol of freedom, will be reopening on July 4th, Independence Day of the USA.
The colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in the middle of New York Harbor in Manhattan has been closed since taking a hit during Superstorm Sandy.
While Lady Liberty herself was spared, the surrounding grounds took a beating with broken railings, docks and paving stones. The storm destroyed boilers, sewage pumps and electrical systems, AP said.
The damage to Liberty Island and neighboring Ellis Island cost the National Park Service an estimated $59 million.
It will be reopening on Thursday, July 4 with a ceremony to include remarks by Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez and Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
A gift from France, the statue was conceived to symbolize the friendship between the two countries and their shared love of liberty. It was dedicated in 1886 and welcomes about 3.5 million visitors every year.
AP said that people who purchased tickets in advance can also look out over New York Harbor from the statue’s crown after a long hiatus. Public access to the balcony surrounding the torch has been barred for safety reasons since 1916.
Security screening for visitors will be held in lower Manhattan.
VIDEO: History of The Statue of Liberty
VIDEO: 2 minute tour of Statue of Liberty
without a ticket how high cud i go?
god bless america