Structures Design Office - Aesthetic Lighting of Florida Bridges
Dames Point Bridge, Jacksonville Florida
 Roosevelt Bridge, Stuart Florida  Merrill Barber Bridge, Vero Beach Fl.  Dodge Island Bridge, Miami Florida |
Bridge aesthetics is an important design consideration for all new bridges in Florida, especially for structures located in high profile areas of the state. Decorative lighting can be a low cost alternative to achieve very desirable aesthetic effects. What better way to dramatize the design rule that ‘form follows function’ than to light it up for all to see! In addition to the obvious visual design constraints, engineers must also consider cost, fixture type and maintainability. Utilizing bridge feature lighting is not new in Florida, but has grown in popularity in recent years. On an International level, the Dame Point Bridge in Jacksonville, Florida was named as a winner in the 1989 International Association of Lighting Designers Light Design Competition. It was one of seven projects selected from over 100 entries throughout the world. Since about 1987,many new ‘high profile’ bridges built in Florida have incorporated decorative lighting features. These include the Sunshine Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay with "up lighting" which accent the cable stays (see following page), the Acosta Bridge in Jacksonville (see following page), the Clearwater Pass Bridge in Clearwater, and more recently the Roosevelt Bridge, the Merrill Barber Bridge, and the Dodge Island Bridge (see bridges shown on this page). |
 Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Tampa Bay Florida |
 Acosta Bridge, Jacksonville Florida |
Bridge lighting can be installed at relatively low cost. The Roosevelt Bridge and Merrill Barber Bridge pier flood lighting costs were approximately $110,000 and $84,000, respectively (less than 0.3 % of the total bridge)
A key issue of bridge lighting systems is the ability to maintain such systems throughout the life of the structure. The Florida Department of Transportation has worked closely with local governments through Joint Party Agreements to obtain assistance with lighting maintenance . Although the maintenance and power costs of these lighting systems are relatively low, experience has indicated that routine maintenance is generally more responsive using local government forces.
Lamps, or light sources are usually designed using flood lights that have specific beam patterns and/or shielding to give the desired effect. Fixtures are generally either high pressure sodium or metal halide type luminaries. High pressure sodium lamps are generally less expensive than metal halide lamps and can be distinguished from metal halide because of their golden glow. Colors other than white or gold can be achieved by adding lenses to the fixtures. (See Dodge Island Bridge picture on the previous page showing a blue lighting scheme). Timers and dimmers can also be added to the lighting systems to allow for variations in the bridge illumination during holidays or special local events such as boat parades.
Upcoming Florida bridge projects that include decorative lighting are the Broadway Bridge in Daytona Beach and the 17th Street Bridge in Ft. Lauderdale.
Existing bridges, such as the MacArthur Causeway Bridge in Miami, are being retrofitted with lighting. The proposed lighting scheme for the MacArthur Causeway Bridge is to be similar to the Dodge Island bridge which is also located in the vicinity. The District Six Miami Office has worked closely with the Port of Miami to coordinate the lighting of the MacArthur Causeway Bridge and the Dodge Island Bridge aesthetic lighting schemes because cruise ships pass through the area making this a very high profile location for tourism.
In summary, while bridge lighting is not suited for every site, it should be considered for bridges in ‘high profile’ locations. Bridge lighting may be added at relatively low initial cost. The maintenance and electric costs of the lighting system must also be considered. While the lighted structures are picturesque, often reflections from boat wakes add an interesting dynamic effect as well.
Ellen Daniel is a Design Engineer in the Florida Department
of Transportation District Four Office in Ft. Lauderdale.
Tom Andres is a Structural Engineer in the Florida Department of Transportation Central
Office in Tallahassee.