If the the Brooklyn Bridge wasn't already an Instagram magnet for tourists, it's now the perfect post to make at night.
This is thanks to 56 new LED lights installed directly underneath the bridge’s distinguished towers, which began illuminating the arches last week.
“Every bridge should be lit, the Manhattan Bridge and the Williamsburg Bridge,” said Steven Vannoy, 63, noting the price New Yorkers pay to live in the city. “It’s truly amazing.”
Thomas Hassler, 52, described the lights as “cutting edge.”
“It looks crisp and sharp,” said Hassler. “But I can’t remember exactly how it was before.”
According to the New York City Department of Transportation, the last time light was cast upon the towers was in 1983 for the bridge’s centennial celebration.
The $2.4 million lighting system, which took five months to install, isn’t a standalone project. It’s all part of DOT’s venture to preserve the bridge. This year, the DOT will wrap up a four-year, $300 million project giving the bridge a deep clean, washing away grime and restoring the mortar between its stones. Years of accumulated dirt left the bridge with a brownish appearance, but the exfoliation will reveal its original light-gray hue.
Other changes on the bridge include a two-way bike lane and 166 new LED lights installed on the bridge's cables, both completed in 2021. About 120,000 vehicles, 30,000 pedestrians, and 4,000 cyclists travel the bridge each day, according to the transportation department.
The 140 year-old structure is a UNESCO World Heritage site, which designates it as a global landmark of cultural and architectural significance. Over the years, the Brooklyn Bridge evolved from carrying horse drawn carriages, trolleys and trains to being dominated mainly by automobiles, pedestrians and bicycles. When it wrapped construction in 1883, it claimed the title of longest suspension bridge in the world.
“The Brooklyn Bridge is one of New York’s most cherished landmarks, recognized the world over as a symbol of our city,” said Landmarks Preservation Commission Chair Sarah Carroll. “The Commission is proud to support initiatives like the Brooklyn Bridge’s new energy efficient LED lighting system, which demonstrate New York City’s powerful commitment to sustainability, as well as the ability of our historic buildings and sites to evolve to meet modern needs and contribute to a greener city in the years to come.”
A DOT spokesperson said the lights on the bridge are not part of a broader LED lights initiative. That said, the spokesperson attested to the benefits of the new lights, saying they are more energy efficient when compared to traditional lighting.
“I walked the bridge just to see the effects of the lights,” said pedestrian Elise Autz. “I do like them, but they’re a little blinding.”
