Peace Bridge To Get A 'Wow Factor'
We might not be getting another bridge anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean that plans are not underway to add a dynamic lighting effect to the existing bridge. The Public Bridge Authority has already tested out this dramatic state-of-the-art, $1.2 million LED lighting system that will replace the current avian unfriendly up-lighting. The test was conducted with just 30 fixtures – ultimately the ‘Wow Factor’ will consist of 300 fixtures, turning the Peace Bridge into a spectacular iconic presence along the Niagara River.
This type of LED lighting adheres to the environmental Black Light Policy that mandates guidelines for structural lighting features. Instead of flooding high wattage lights up unto the night sky, the bridge will soon be wrapped in vibrant colors. With the flip of a switch, the colors can change from red to blue… or orange. The lighting can change with the seasons, or even with an event, such as a Buffalo Bills’ win or any of the Canadian/American holidays. Other than being aesthetically pleasing, the energy and operating costs will be much lower. There will also be reduced maintenance costs and built in security features, as the entire bridge will be bathed in light. Indirect lighting will used to illuminate the upper bridge's truss beams.
The LED lighting effect is scheduled to be operational in time for the upcoming Holiday Season.
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Comment Options
platt4
The underbelly of the skyway should be next.
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heathersmiles
Platt4 - You beat me to it! I absolutely agree. The skyway and the Grand Island Bridges!
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casetheace
yea if the skyway is not coming down, lets light it up!
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onestarmartin
this is soooo cool...skyway next!
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onestarmartin
I was suprised i got my one star so fast, but then i realized it was to early for the loosers to be drunk on the patio...not open yet!
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NewBuffalo
it will probably take them 10 yrs to do this, some idiot will complain that the lights keep them awake all night.
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Assaroni
itll mess with the birds and quail
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kooksapalooza
i like it!
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JohnnyWalker
hopefully, people now will notice what a beautiful structure the existing peace bridge is
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chrishawley
Good move.
LED provides rich, deep colors and consumes considerably less energy. This will make the Peace Bridge look fabulous against the nighttime sky!
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buffaloed
That looks Awesome! I can't wait! Skyway- even lesser bridges like the Parkside/Linden and Delaware/Linden overpasses would benefit- don't forget the Elmwood overpass over the 198. This will really jazz up the River!
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CRobs
I wouldn't get too excited just yet. I mean, we've yet to hear what the bird's thoughts are on this. I'm guessing the reflective glow will be too much of a distraction, which will alter their flight pattern, which in turn will totally throw the ecosystem skew. Next thing you know, Panda bears are strolling down Elmwood, wild bore rumaging, and house cats turned-crazed people-eating killers.
JK. Hopefully this one gets through!!
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sbrof
look amazing!! I cat wait to suit. plus it is much more environmentally sound than the current lights. Cleaner air, lower bills, brighten prettier lights... everyone wins here.
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Username
has it occurred to anyone that the peace bridge is painted green, not white?
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girl16
who's paying for this?
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Bizzles
hmmmmm
Lipstick on a pig?
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Bizzles
hmmmmm
Lipstick on a pig?
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kooksapalooza
i thought it was blue...or is that the rainbrow bridge? i can never remember
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al-alo
LED's will pay for themselves
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Username
No, my point was not to be negative. it was just to point out the fact that the surface of the bridge is painted a greenish tint. LED's projected against that surface...how will that look? LED's glowing against a light gray or white surface is one thing...but green? That's my point. I don't know...maybe it isn't green anymore. I guess I haven't looked carefully. I know it used to be "Statue-of-Liberty" green. I'll look tomorrow. I pass under it every day on the water.
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kooksapalooza
no i was serious...which bridge is the blue one? i cant remember
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magnum
Anyone got the link to the BRO article (a reader submission) that started this whole discussion about better lighting in Buffalo?
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JohnnyWalker
The South gand island bridge is blue
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vikings63
Did you people ask those so called histroic neighbor hood peoplewhat they thought yet??? It might not work for them because you might be trying to make there neihbor look better. First off the bridge is ugly so the lights wont help it any at all. Second i went to the neighbothood where they want ot expain the bridge and truck plaza and all i can say is if i lived there i would letting them come with open arms and couldnt get out of the area fast enough. If this area is consider a historic site then anywhere in the use is a historic site give me a break i wouldnt pay 30,000 for those homes. One day Buffalo might wake up and then build a real bridge that will not only look great but also send a msg to the rest of the country and world and just think if they would build the cable span and light that bridge up at night light they want to with this ugly bridge then people would be really talking about not only how nice it looks but other people around the country that see it will love it and want it in there city. Sorry i forgot this is Bufflao what am i thinking?????????
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DanielSack
Could the Public Bridge Authority perhaps spend a little money getting rid of the ugly and deteriorating plywood boxes on the truss section of the bridge?
There must be a better solution for whatever problem these boxes solve.
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DanielSack
Could the Public Bridge Authority perhaps spend a little money getting rid of the ugly and deteriorating plywood boxes on the truss section of the bridge?
There must be a better solution for whatever problem these boxes solve.
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eam5
It maybe the only thing good the PBA has ever done!
vikings63: You need to take an official tour of the neighborhood and do the interior tour of homes which is the first Sunday of every month. I don't think you really know what the designated area is. You also don't realize what the PBA has already done to destroy the neighborhood. The PBA has caused most of the neighborhood blight by leaving homes vacant and boarded up for 13 years. Do some research, get all the facts and then make a decision. You obviously do not know the rich history of this area. While most people in the neighborhood agree that the area needs a better border crossing, even the news article from Patrick Whelan today in he Buffalo News does not mention why it has to be in the existing location. Bringing an additional 3.2 million trucks through an already densely populated neighborhood suffering from asthma and other health problems just doesn't make sense. The developing lungs of the students of school 3 and other children on the West Side deserve better than what is proposed. It is unbelievable that someone who is the ceo of a medical complex could advocate for expanding truck traffic in this vicinity. He must have his hands in the pockets of the project as well!
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NorPark
what would be cool, is if for the skyway, they painted the pillars all black so they could not be seen at night, and lit up the bridge itself, so it gave the illusion that it is just floating out there, that would look pretty wild.
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buffaloed
I am pretty sure that the plywood boxes on the trusses of the bridge at road level are to prevent road salt from collecting and deteriorating the trusses. They are boxes. Not offensive at all.
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crisa
Birds don't fly at night. Bats do.
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crisa
Isn't the Peace Bridge military greenish? The only color that won't clash with that green is more of that green.
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crisa
The first two pictures of the Peach Bridge lit up are stunningly beautiful.
The third picture down looks too dangerous to believe it is a consideration!
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rb66
It would be nice to have this done before the Bills Monday night football game on Nov. 17.
Something for ESPN to show on national tv in lieu of always showing the falls.
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wsd
lights and glitter and no new bridge.. That sums up Buffalo for last 30 yrs. All talk no action.
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thinker
Sweet, our newly constructed Signature Bridge is getting some lighting. Excellent. Oh wait... my bad. It's the old bridge. Sad day when this illicites joy from people who feel like this is progress.
Where is the New Millenium Group to oppose this because minnows will be distracted by the lights and sucked into the water intake, which will lead to a massive delcine in theie numbers and their certain inclusion on state and federal threatened and endangered species lists. Please someone call one of the obstructions bankers, lawyers and politicos in the NMG and have them file an injunciton into this travesty. How dare the PBA not conduct a full blown environmental impact statement and conduct endless public hearings, which could then digress into an argument over what color the lights should be, with the EVA proposing a color-coded system that marginalizes the Canadian side by using offensive and poorly chosen colors so they know where they stand while the Americans get their traditional red, white and blue.
Someone call Pat McNichol and get him on the case. His degree in transportaiton engineering and minor in environmental engineering certainly brings him the credibility to chime in on the issue and stop this. Oh wait... isn't he a banker or something? What about Lynn "I Got Fired For Lying on My Resume and To My Employer" Williams, she must have time on her hands.
This town is a joke.
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