Statue of Liberty Closing for a Year-Long Safety Renovation

Ken Salazar, US Secretary of the Interior said Wednesday that the Statue of Liberty will close on October 28 for a year-long renovation that will cost $27.25 million. The renovation will make the interior more accessible and safer.

Electrical and fire suppression systems, elevators and bathrooms will all get an overhaul and code-compliant stairways will be installed.

Code-compliant stairways will be installed, and electrical and fire suppression systems, elevators and bathrooms will all get an overhaul. The current staircases do not meet the latest fire codes.

Liberty Island will remain open during the project, and won't obstruct views of the Statue of Liberty. About 3.5 million people visit the 125-year-old monument annually.