Coney Island's Thunderbolt coaster opens
Park visitors are among the first to ride theThunderbolt Roller Coaster in Coney Island on Saturday, June 14, 2014. Credit: Jeremy Bales
Brooklyn adrenaline junkies are about to be hit by a thunderbolt -- Coney Island's newest thrill ride, that is.
The Thunderbolt, a recently completed roller coaster in Coney Island's Luna Park, opened to the public Saturday.
The Thunderbolt sits where its original, wooden namesake dazzled riders from the 1920s to the 1980s. The 115-foot-tall roller coaster begins with a 90-degree vertical drop immediately followed by a loop. The ride runs for about two minutes and reaches 55 mph, according to a news release.
At $10 million, the roller coaster is part of the city's plan to revitalize Coney Island's historic amusement district. Since 2009, more than $140 million has been pumped into improving the area.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 15: LI's top basketball players On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay take a look top boys and girls basketball players on Long Island.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 15: LI's top basketball players On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay take a look top boys and girls basketball players on Long Island.
