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State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2013

Contact: Bob Considine (609) 984-1795
Lawrence Ragonese (609) 292-2994
Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795

CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES LIBERTY STATE PARK FERRY SLIP
RESTORATION PROJECT

SANDY BATTERED DOCKING AREA TARGETED FOR RESTORATION BY APRIL

(13/P105) TRENTON – The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded a contract to rebuild the severely damaged ferry slip at Liberty State Park that is essential in transporting state residents and tourists to and from the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.

An $800,000 publicly bid contract has been issued to Flanagan’s Contracting Group of Hillsborough, Somerset County. The contract calls for the project to be completed within 120 days, allowing the Hudson River docking area to reopen by April 1, 2014.

“Superstorm Sandy’s record tidal surge severely damaged the ferry slip at our great park,’’ said Commissioner Martin. “We look forward to soon having a revitalized slip that will serve as a permanent station for the 700,000 people who use the ferry service each year from Liberty State Park to enjoy these icons of American history.”

The ferry slip, which sits adjacent to the iconic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Building, sustained bulkhead damage. Restoration plans call for the repair of the bulkhead and the replacement of decking, walkway pavers, railings, pole-mounted lighting and electrical work.

Corporate Business Tax (CBT) funds will be used to immediately finance the project, with the DEP to seek reimbursement through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Sandy disaster recovery assistance fund.

Since the National Park Service reopened Liberty Island on the Fourth of July, the State Park Service has been utilizing a barge to the south of the terminal building as a temporary platform to load and unload ferry passengers. Ferry service to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, which partially reopened last month, is provided by Statue Cruises. Ferries depart from Liberty State Park in New Jersey and there also is service directly from Battery Park in Manhattan.

The historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Building, which served as the launch point into America for millions of immigrants, also sustained serious water damage as a result of Sandy’s nearly six-foot storm surge. Engineering assessments for the repair of the terminal were completed earlier this year. Bids for the exterior restoration of the terminal are due to DEP later this month.

Liberty State Park, which consists of about 1,200 acres, is the most popular destination in the State Park system, with nearly 5.4 million visitors last year. Since Superstorm Sandy hit last year, the park has seen the reopening of most of the two-mile waterfront walkway known as Liberty Walk, 9/11 Memorial, the Grove of Remembrance, Liberty Landing Marina, the Green Park playground and most of the park’s public use acreage and facilities.

“We know how important Liberty State Park is to our visitors and it’s paramount that we keep moving forward to get the park fully restored,” said Richard Boornazian, Assistant Commissioner for Natural and Historic Resources. “We are thrilled that so many visitors have come back to enjoy the beauty of the park and the magnificent views of the New York skyline, Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor as we continue our progress.”

Ferry service to Liberty Island and Ellis Island is provided by Statue Cruises. Ferries depart from Liberty State Park and Battery Park in Manhattan.

For more information on Liberty State Park, visit: www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/liberty.html

For more information on the Statue of Liberty National Monument, including links to ferry service, visit:www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm

For more information on from Statue Cruises, visit: check www.statuecruises.com.

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Last Updated: November 21, 2013