For the first time since it was closed following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the observation deck in the crown of New York City’s famed Statue of Liberty will reopen to the public on July 4.
The top of the Statue of Liberty reopens to visitors on the 4th of July.
The statue itself was reopened in 2004, but visitors were only allowed into the pedestal at the base of the statue.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the reopening at a press conference on nearby Ellis Island in May.
“On July 4, we are giving America a special gift,” Salazar said.
Salazar based his decision to reopen the crown on an analysis of the statue completed by the National Park Service that addressed some of the statue’s dangers.
“We cannot eliminate all the risk of climbing to the crown, but we are taking steps to make it safer,” Salazar said.
Handrails on the long spiral staircase and park rangers stationed throughout the monument are among the new safety measures.
The statue will be open for two years and then closed again for additional safety work, the AP reported.