Statue of Liberty to close for year-long renovation

AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

One of New York's top tourist attractions, the Statue of Liberty, will close for a year to have its interior renovated.

From the end of October holidaymakers won't have access to the inside of the statue or its crown as it undergoes a 27.25 million US dollar refurbishment, including upgrades to the fire suppression systems, lifts and toilet facilities.

Tourists will still be able to visit Liberty Island, with views of the statue being 'largely unobstructed', US Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says.

'Two years ago, when we reopened Lady Liberty's crown to visitors for the first time since the September 11 attacks, I promised that we would continue to upgrade the interior to make it safer and more accessible for all,' he said in a statement.

'The monument's stairs, elevators and electrical and mechanical systems will be modernized to improve safety and widen access, bringing "a 19th Century icon into the 21st Century."'

The National Parks Service who manages the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island says the site will remain open until 28 October.

Since the September 11 terror attacks, visitor numbers to the Statue of Liberty's crown has been controlled. Around 3.5 million people visit the site every year.

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