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U. Kuhlmann/B. Braun/H. Degée/A. Zizza · New chances and developments of Eurocode 3 Part 1.5 – Bridge design aspects

more accessible for all,” Salazar said ina statement.

The monument’s stairs, elevators andelectrical and mechanical systems willbe modernized to improve safety andwiden access, bringing “a 19th Centuryicon into the 21st Century,” he said. Theremodeling of the Statue of Liberty willperformed by Joseph Natoli Construc-tion Corp. of Pine Brook, N.J., and willinclude electrical upgrades, fire preven-tion systems, elevators, bathrooms andcode-compliant access.

Salazar suggested most visitors to themonument would not be affected by therenovation, as the majority do not go in-side the statue.

Each day a maximum of 2,500 visi-tors are permitted inside the statue’sbase and pedestal. Another 240 visitors

Statue of Liberty interior closed foryearlong renovation

The Statue of Liberty will undergo ayearlong safety make-over, temporarilyclosed its interior to visitors since theend of October on the 125th anniver-sary of its dedication.

Tourists will still be able to visit LadyLiberty’s home on Liberty Island andviews of the statue in New York Harborwill be “largely unobstructed” duringthe 27.25 million US-$ renovation pro-ject, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar ex-plained.

“Two years ago, when we reopenedLady Liberty’s crown to visitors for thefirst time since the September 11 attacks,I promised that we would continue toupgrade the interior to make it safer and

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are allowed to climb inside up to thecrown, yet on a busy summer’s day some18,000 people visit the island, she said.

Even with the interior closed, touristscan visit the island’s cafe and gift shop,participate in audio tours and gather in-formation from National Park rangerson site.

“You’re still on the island, you stillget this majestic view of the statue,” shesaid. “You can still get to that iconicspot where you can take the picture thateveryone takes, that one photo thateveryone wants.”

The copper-covered statue was a giftto the United States from France. About3.5 million people visit the statue everyyear.

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