Ringling Bridge Lights to be Retrofitted

Crews will retrofit street lights along the Ringling Bridge during the week of Sept. 26, creating a more energy efficient transportation span. According to a city press release, the retrofits will occur from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., with one inside traffic lane temporarily closed. 

During the project, all the lights atop the bridge will be turned off.  Work is expected to be finished within two to three nights, the news release said. 

A total of 98 street lights will be retrofitted. Each light will be reduced from 205 watts to 55 watts. According to the city, by using light emitting diode (LED) technology, a whiter more directional light will be generated to maintain safe roadways and walkways on the bridge.  Crews from Road Runner, a Bradenton-based company, will work on the bridge one direction at a time. 

The project is funded through a federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. Lights on the Saprito Pier also are being retrofitted with funds from the same grant this week, the release said. In addition, St. Armands tree lights recently were replaced.