Vancouver is lighting it up!

If you notice a few changes on the Lion Gate Bridge, don't be alarmed. The province announced today that it will begin installing high efficiency LED lighting. Great to see changes Vancouver getting "greener".

LIONS GATE BRIDGE LIGHTING REPLACEMENT

VICTORIA – Beginning tonight, motorists, residents and visitors will notice a darkened Lions Gate Bridge, while crews install a high-efficiency LED lighting system.

The current 100-watt architectural lighting, which drapes the bridge’s suspension cables, is powered by 170 mercury-vapour bulbs and has been in place since 1986. However, with its core infrastructure nearing the end of its life span, the system is becoming increasingly onerous and costly to maintain.

The new LED lighting will have the same appearance as the existing system but will cut the current power consumption by 90 per cent and drastically reduce the time spent each year replacing burned-out bulbs.

The $150,000 project is being cost-shared by both the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and BC Hydro. The new LED bulbs have a design life of 12 years and will not only last longer but the Province expects to save more than $30,000 per year in energy and maintenance.

Work to remove the existing lighting and install the new LED system will begin immediately and is expected to take up to three weeks to complete. During this time regular traffic lighting will function as usual, and traffic will not be affected.

The LED lighting retrofit supports B.C.’s Energy Plan, which encourages new technologies to “green the grid,” promote clean energy and reduce energy losses.

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