WORK BEGINS ON STATE STREET BRIDGE LIGHTING UPGRADE PROJECT

Work has now begun to replace each of the light fixtures on the State Street Bridge with new, antique-styled light fixtures. The project will double the total number of light poles and quadruple the total number of lights on the bridge, dramatically increasing vehicular and pedestrian safety.

The old lighting had become energy insufficient and did not provide enough illumination for safe vehicular travel. He also said many of the old light poles had rusted and deteriorated to the point where many of them were weak, no longer safe, and in danger of falling over in high winds.

The 39 existing cobra head light fixtures will be replaced with 63 cast iron light poles with bracket arms, each which supports two specially-designed lanterns, totaling 126 streetlights. All use the latest energy-saving technology. He said the two obelisks at the west end of the bridge will be illuminated with spotlights. The existing lights under the arches over and adjacent to Cameron Street will be repaired and placed back into service. They have been inoperable for years.

Two unique elements to the bridge lighting project—First, each of the light poles and fixtures has been custom-designed specifically for Harrisburg and no identical light fixtures are available anywhere else in the world. Second, the light poles are made from melted-down used automobile engines in an effort to recycle metal that would have otherwise been sent to a landfill. These poles were fabricated by Spring City Electrical Manufacturing Company, Spring City, PA. The lanterns were fabricated by HADCO, Littlestown, PA.

This project is unique in that it is both sorely-needed and will also dramatically add to the aesthetics of an already-picturesque and historic bridge.

Funding for the project was provided by the Federal Highway Administration and is the result of an effort by U.S. Congressman Tim Holden. The construction contract was awarded to Kuharchik Construction of Exeter, PA, on January 9, 2009, after competitive public bidding, and work is now underway. The contract amount for the entire project is $2,950,545 and work is expected to last about six months. The unique light fixtures were designed by city-based Brinjac Engineering and employ induction lighting, the latest in energy saving technology.