Knoxville Celebrates the Return of Henley Bridge Lights
In a significant event for the city of Knoxville, the Henley Bridge was illuminated in bright orange and white last night, marking the first time in six years that the iconic lights have been turned on. The lights were previously darkened due to weather conditions and humidity from the nearby river, rendering them unusable and leading to their permanent deactivation in 2018.
A New Beginning for the Bridge
Knoxville resident Ginger Jamrog, who owns LED Lighting Concepts, opened the ceremony with a message of pride as her hometown became the first major city in the U.S. to embrace this cutting-edge technology:
“Our new lamp combines LED and mesh technology, allowing for unprecedented control over architectural lighting applications. 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,” she stated.
Jamrog’s company collaborated with the City of Knoxville Engineering Department’s Signal Shop to bring this project to fruition. Together, they dismantled and cleaned a total of 180 lights—90 on each side of the bridge—replacing the old lighting system with the new LED smart lamp technology.
Versatile and Cost-Effective Technology
The new lighting system not only promises brighter displays but also enables a full spectrum of color options for various events. Knoxville residents can look forward to the lights shining in different colors for occasions such as:
- The Knox Asian Festival, where the lights will change to celebrate the event.
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, with the lights glowing pink.
- National holidays, featuring red, white, and blue displays.
Knoxville’s Mayor Kincannon shared her excitement about the new lighting, stating:
“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. This is something we’ve been wanting to do for some time.”
Improvements in Technology
The improvements with the new lighting system are primarily due to advancements in technology that were not available back in 2018. The original lights were powered using a DMX cable, typically found in indoor theaters. The new equipment relies on Bluetooth mesh, making the system wireless and easier to manage. The lights can be activated using a password-protected phone or iPad, allowing much quicker adjustments to light displays.
A Bright Future Ahead
The city has made significant investments into this project, with the new LED smart lamps costing only one-tenth of the previous lighting systems, all while supporting local businesses. According to official sources, the original bridge lights were part of a $24.6 million complete reconstruction of the Henley Bridge, which began back in 2011.
As Knoxville enjoys the festive colors lighting up the bridge, residents can visit the city’s official website for a full schedule of upcoming commemorative lightings planned through the end of 2024.
This restoration symbolizes not only a return to tradition for Knoxville but also showcases the city’s commitment to utilizing modern and efficient technology for the benefit of its residents and visitors.
