Bridge lighting illuminates our nation’s roadways to help safely guide travelers across, under, and over their spans. It also serves as a form of art, decorating a skyline and sometimes even serving as a memorable icon for a city. As a majority of the nation’s bridge stock ages, maintenance, updates, and sometimes even replacements become imperative in order to keep our bridges in a state of good repair. Lighting upgrades not only provide enhanced safety for travelers but can also boost energy efficiencies, as well as improved aesthetics.

Recently, three major, long-standing spans have undergone lighting upgrades as part of the effort to maintain their use and historic value. The lighting served different purposes for each, but the enhancements make for improved and more efficient bridges.

Indian River Inlet Bridge

Owner: Delaware Department of Transportation

Delaware’s Indian River Inlet Bridge has been reconstructed several times, owing to its harsh surrounding maritime environment. The latest version of the 2,600-foot-long suspension span, officially called the Charles W. Cullen Bridge, features major lighting upgrades, compared to the previous span. Magnificent aesthetic stay lighting, walkway lighting, and maintenance lighting provides a shimmering contrast at night against the Indian River Bay and Atlantic Ocean. LED lights reduce energy use by more than 65% as well as maintenance costs and safety concerns. Maritime and aviation obstruction lighting systems installed below and above the bridge help improve safety for air and sea travelers.