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The footbridge connecting Liberty State Park with Downtown Jersey City was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy. Official estimate restoration costs to the park could reach $5 million.

(Photo by Lauren Casselberry/The Jersey Journal)

The footbridge connecting Jersey Avenue to Liberty State Park in Jersey City may be back up in time for Memorial Day, according to city officials.

The bridge, which was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy, may cost about $750,000 to replace, according to city Chief of Staff Rosemary McFadden. Federal disaster-relief funds should pay for 75 percent of the replacement costs, while the city is seeking grants or private funding sources for the remainder, McFadden writes in an email.

The news comes as officials at Liberty State Park, which was heavily damaged when Sandy devastated the region on Oct. 29, 2012, announced this week that another 139 acres of the state park were reopened on Jan. 29, bringing the total number of open acres 263. There are 600 upland acres in the park.

All of the roads, parking lots and most fields are open, but restrooms, playgrounds and parts of the walkway remain closed, according to the Friends of Liberty State Park website.

The city expects to put the footbridge work out to bid by the end of March, and hopes to have it replaced entirely by Memorial Day, or “as soon as possible” after, according to McFadden.

Bicyclists use the footbridge leading to Liberty State Park in November 2006. The bridge was destroyed when Hurricane Sandy devastated the region last October.

The bridge will be located where the old bridge was, but there will be enhanced lighting, signs and safety provisions.

City officials do not know how old the bridge is. Friends of Liberty State Park President Sam Pesin said he believes the bridge was there when the park opened in 1976.

Liberty State Park attracts more then 5 million visitors annually.