For the first time in six years, programmable decorative lighting has returned to the street-level deck of the Henley Bridge.
Mayor Indya Kincannon, Engineering Department Signal Shop staff, and representatives of Knoxville-based LED Lighting Concepts will gather at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Volunteer Landing to activate the 180 retrofitted bridge lights.
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On Thursday night, the bridge lights will be programmed in orange and white to celebrate the University of Tennessee Volunteers’ home opener on Saturday. In the future, the lights will be programmed in various colors for events like the Knox Asian Festival, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and other significant occasions.
“We’re excited to have found a cost-effective solution that will again allow us to program the bridge lights in almost any color combinations to celebrate local festivals, public events, and causes that Knoxvillians hold near and dear to their hearts,” Mayor Kincannon said.
“Thanks to new technology, this project is now more reliable and affordable than it was in 2018 when the original lights stopped working. The new LED smart lamp bulbs are state-of-the-art and cost one-tenth of the old lighting systems – and we’re supporting a local company.”
Ginger Jamrog, the owner and Business Manager of LED Lighting Concepts, expressed pride in making her hometown the first large city to install this new technology.
“Our new lamp combines LED and mesh technology, allowing for unprecedented control over architectural lighting applications,” Jamrog said. “The Henley Bridge will be the first project in the nation to use this new technology, and we are thrilled to be involved in the upgrades on the lighting for this iconic bridge.”
The original bridge lights were part of the state’s $24.6 million complete reconstruction of the Henley Bridge that began in 2011. Those lights, powered through DMX cable typically used in indoor movie theaters, eventually failed due to dampness that damaged the cables.
The new equipment is entirely different, utilizing Bluetooth mesh technology that is wireless. Once the colors are mixed and programmed, they can be activated by a password-protected City phone or iPad.
For more details on the schedule of commemorative lightings through the end of 2024, visit www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/HenleyLights.
Source: Read Original Release
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