LED System Casts New Hope-Lambertville Bridge In A Brand New Light

NEW HOPE, PA — The newly installed color-programmable LED architectural lighting system at the New Hope/ Lambertvillle Toll-Supported Bridge underwent testing Monday evening for about an hour illuminating the span in blue, red, and, of course, Eagles green in celebration of the Super Bowl champions from just down the river.

The bridge's lighting system has only been activated for short durations in recent weeks to check new electrical connections that were made as part of an extensive bridge rehabilitation project that began early last year.

According to the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, Monday night’s lighting activation marked the first time that the system was turned on to adjust the direction of some of the lights. The light testing began just after dusk and continued to about 7 p.m.

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

Additional testing of the bridge’s architectural lights is expected to be conducted periodically in the coming weeks once the system is fully installed. That testing will largely involve regulating the intensity of the lights, calibrating the colors, and then programming special displays.

The lighting system is part of a bridge rehabilitation project which began last year and is virtually completed.

According to the latest revised plans, the bridge will remain closed to New Jersey-bound traffic until mid-February. The signed detour is via the non-tolled-northbound direction on the New Hope-Lambertville (Route 202) Toll Bridge one mile to the north.

The project’s execution and duration was lengthened by an unforeseen structural issue discovered during the summer in one of the bridge’s six spans. That structural issue was addressed with a full bridge shutdown that started Jan. 13 and ended four days ahead of schedule on Jan. 23.

At this time, two-way traffic on the bridge is expected to resume sometime in mid-February .

After the bridge is reopened to traffic in both directions, motorists are expected to encounter periodic alternating single-lane travel restrictions through the winter months as work crews complete “punch list” items and the installation and testing of the bridge’s new architectural lighting system.

Full project completion is anticipated to occur by spring 2025.