Phil Matier: New Bay Bridge Span Getting $2M Worth In Lights
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) — Caltrans seems to think the Bay Bridge isn't spectacular enough, and the new eastern span is already getting a makeover as crews are installing thousands of lights to illuminate the span.
They hope to have about $2 million worth, or 7,800 LED lights installed by Christmas. That span alone is already the most expensive bridge in the world. If you're going to have the best and the most expensive, you might as well light it up, seems to be Caltrans' way of thinking.
New Bay Bridge Span Getting $2M Worth In Lights
So far there hasn't been much of any push back on the new lights. If anything it almost seems to be a bit of eastern span-western span lighting envy. Now it's as if we have a competition going on.
The western span on the San Francisco side has some 25,000 LED lights (funded by millions of dollars from private donors) as part of a moving light sculpture.
However, the eastern span's new lighting project, which will illuminate the cathedral portion and central tower, is being funded with taxpayer dollars and toll money.
The lighting design is by Howard Brandston, who designed architectural lights for the Statue of Liberty, will be a permanent fixture.
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