Queen Street East's iconic bridge that crosses over the Don River lit up during a special event on Friday night.

Area residents lined the sidewalks and counted down before the lights were flipped on for the first time. Some lucky TTC riders also got a great view of the lights when it began glowing just as their streetcar rumbled past.

The steel bridge is now adorned with strips of LED lights that are set to accentuate its design lines, which previously couldn't be seen at night. The lights will also be able to change colour.

A line of decorative text — "The river I step in is not the river I stand in," which was added by artist Eldon Garnet in 1996 — is also illuminated.