Sunday was a beautiful day to get outside and many people headed to the newest attraction on New Haven’s shoreline.
Fishermen and others celebrated the reconstructed pier at Fort Hale Park in New Haven.
“It’s pretty impressive. There’s tables for fishermen to clean their fish,” said Don Iddings of West Haven.
Special features for those fishing are just part of the excitement.
The much-anticipated pier juts out from the shoreline, offering sweeping views of the New Haven Harbor and the Long Island Sound.
“I didn’t know it was actually rebuilt. The minute I saw it was we came running out, so it’s really good. I’m glad that they did that,” said Todd Andresen of Branford.
It’s a far cry from how it looked several years ago.
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Back in 2013, we checked out how Irene and Sandy had ripped the structure apart.
It had been a popular spot for fishermen and sightseers.
“It was actually really sad. I’ve been coming here my whole life,” said Andresen.
Shorty after, the work to rebuild began.
Help arrived in 2015 from the state in the form of a $1.8-million bond to underwrite reconstruction.
Many are impressed with the results.
“I’m really glad that they did this, not just for the fishermen, but it’s just really nice to come out into the water,” said Andresen.
There will be a grand reopening on Monday at 10 a.m.
Among those invited to attend are Governor Dannel Malloy, Department of Energy & Environmental Protection Commissioner Rob Klee and New Haven Mayor Toni Harp.
