A nearly $31 million contract has been awarded for repairs to the seawall at Statue of Liberty National Monument/NPS file

A nearly $31 million contract has been awarded to a company to repair the historic Ellis Island seawall at Statue of Liberty National Monument.

The $30.8 million contract to Weeks Marine, Inc. of New York City calls for the stabilization and rehabilitation of portions of the seawall surrounding Ellis Island in New Jersey and New York. Weeks Marine, Inc. is a family owned maritime construction company based in Cranford, New Jersey, according to a National Park Service release.

“On the heels of President Trump signing the historic Great American Outdoors Act, it is exciting to be able to announce a contract to repair one of our most iconic national landmarks,” said Margaret Everson, the acting director of the Park Service. “While the act is not the funding source for this project, it represents the type of important restoration work which this landmark legislation will enable at many of our national parks.” 

The historic 6,736 linear foot-long seawall surrounding Ellis Island was built using several construction systems between 1913 and 1934. The repair will fix the poor condition of the seawall and address some structural needs, including erosion at joints, work to the ferry slip, and replacing and restoring displaced granite basic blocks and grout throughout the island seawall. The project is expected to be completed in early 2023.  

One of the most popular national parks in the United States, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island together attract more than 4 million visitors each year and serve as dual symbols of hope and freedom to visitors from around the world.