The Brooklyn Bridge Got A New, $2.4 Million Look

BROOKLYN, NY — New year, new Brooklyn Bridge.

The DUMBO landmark got a refresh this year to the tune of $2.4 million — just a little something to help the Brooklyn Bridge sparkle, Transportation department representatives announced last week.

Some 56 new LED lights now illuminate up the bridge's towers — a twinkle normally saved for special events like the 1983 centennial celebration. The lights are expected to last for 20 years.

“Everyone loves a good new year’s ‘glow up,’" said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez.

"One of NYC DOT’s most cherished responsibilities is maintaining ‘America’s Eiffel Tower,’ and these new lights will showcase its beauty for decades to come.”

A four-year, $300 million revamp is also nearly finished on the iconic bridge, including a squeaky clean and stone restoration.

"Made of limestone, granite, brick, steel, and cement, the bridge’s recent restoration featured meticulous cleaning of every individual stone and brick. And, no glow up would be complete without exfoliating. While scrubbing the bridge improved its appearance, it also removed damaging grime from the pores of each stone," Transportation department representatives said.

"After decades of maintaining a brown appearance from generations of dirt, grime, and pollution, the deep clean restored the bridge’s towers to their original gray color."

To Landmarks Preservation Commission Chair Sarah Carroll, the 2024 refresh is proof that New York City's iconic landmarks can meet modern needs.

The Brooklyn Bridge went up in 1883 and today accommodates 120,000 vehicles, 30,000 pedestrians and 4,000 cyclists each day, according to the Transportation department.