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No easy fix for bridge illumination
Wednesday, November 9, 2005 9:36 PM EST
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| Brian Hitch/Staff The lights on the Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge will all burn bright again soon. About 40 bulbs are out on the bridge, but the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has agreed to fix the problem. The cabinet is preparing a performance based lighting contract to become effective within a few weeks. |
By DANETTA BARKER
Staff Writer
The lights on the Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge have become as much of a landmark as the bridge itself.
But when bulbs that light the bridge burn out, the pattern of the lights along the cables is disrupted, leaving a less than aesthetic sight.
Some of the light bulbs are out -- about 40, give or take a few. But help is on the way.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has agreed to fix the problem. The cabinet is preparing a performance-based lighting contract to become effective with a few weeks.
Replacing the lights is not an easy task. The job requires safety measures and pure nerves of steel.
"The specialized nature of the lighting arrangement dictates a very demanding approach for maintenance. At least two workers will be required to climb the cabled portions of the span, carrying supplies with them as they climb. All state and federal safety codes have to be observed during the operation, including the presence of rescue teams while work proceeds. Repair of the tower floodlight involves minimal risk of injuries. That task will be completed first," said Doug Hogan, executive director of public affairs for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
The Transportation Cabinet has not previously been responsible for aesthetic lighting of this type. For example, cities such as Louisville, Covington, Owensboro and Paducah are all responsible for lighting maintenance on their bridges, according the cabinet.
"This is a new challenge for us, and, we suspected from the beginning that maintenance of the aesthetic lighting system for this bridge would be difficult," Hogan said.
Approximately 40 of the 140, 480-volt, 70-watt high pressure sodium fixtures are out on the aesthetic lighting at a cost of $150 per fixture or $70 per ballast kit and $15 per bulb, according to Hogan.
"Determination of malfunction must be made at each individual fixture as the lighting is worked as to which remedy -- fixture, ballast kit or bulb replacement -- will correct," he said.
Bridge lighting is not the only lighting that has to be maintained. Hogan said 24 of 26 roadway lighting fixtures are in operation at this time. Those lighting fixtures cost $114 each and bulbs $11 each. Also, three of four total tower flood lighting fixtures are currently in operation, which cost $250 each, with bulbs costing $42 each.
Six navigational lighting fixtures are in operation; red lights costs $584 each and bulbs 86 cents each. Green navigational fixtures cost $757 each and bulbs 86 cents each.
Beginning Dec. 1, the performance lighting maintenance contract will be in place for District 9, according to the cabinet.
"We expect a new performance-based lighting contract to become effective within just a few weeks. This new contract should result in an expeditious restoration of the aesthetic lighting on the Simon Kenton Bridge, as well as a quicker response time to needed repairs in the future," Hogan said.
"While the maintenance of such a lighting system is both a very expensive and a very arduous proposition, we are committed to a philosophy of preservation and presentation which Kentuckians can be proud of, and which visitors will find truly pleasing," he said.
Contact Danetta Barker at Danetta.Barker@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 272.
Notes:
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