New Jersey contractor Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corporation restored permanent power to the Statue of Liberty National Monument.
Power at the Statue was knocked out by Superstorm Sandy nearly two weeks ago. Temporary lighting to the torch and crown were restored November 9. Two days later, full power restoration was achieved by Natoli crews working in tandem with subcontractor Turnpike Electric, Inc.
Natoli’s team worked around the clock to restore full power to the Statue which was not harmed by the storm, although Liberty Island suffered damage to its docks and grounds.
Heating, power and emergency generators were knocked out. In the wake of the storm, Natoli has been making necessary repairs to the grounds and power systems. The contractor was already on site performing life and safety upgrades at the Statue for the National Park Service.
The national monument is closed indefinitely to visitors until full repairs can be completed.
The Statue closed in October 2011 to undergo upgrades to visitor safety and accessibility. It reopened on October 28, 2012, the 126th anniversary of its original dedication, and then closed again the next day due to the storm.
The storm was not the first major challenge faced by the contractor on this project.
“The physical and logistical obstacles we faced with this project weren’t easily solved,” said Paul Natoli, president and CEO of Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corporation.
“Having done prior work to early 20th century buildings on Ellis Island and to the Statue of Liberty, we knew the site and how to work with this national monument.”
In 2004, the contractor performed the initial life safety upgrades necessary to re-open the Monument after the events of 9/11.
Temporary lights provided by Musco Lighting will remain in use until the permanent lighting on the grounds of Liberty Island, which were destroyed in the storm, can be replaced.
The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States.
The Statue is visited by nearly four million people each year.
