Knoxville Shines Bright Again as Henley Bridge Lights Return
Knoxville, Tennessee, is celebrating a significant moment this week as the iconic Henley Bridge has been lit up once again, showcasing a stunning display of orange and white lights for the first time in six years. The renewed lighting marks a fresh start for the beloved bridge, which had fallen dark due to weather and humidity damage.
The re-lighting ceremony took place last night, and it brought together local residents and city officials, all excited to see the bridge illuminate the night sky once more. Ginger Jamrog, the owner and business manager of LED Lighting Concepts, proudly announced that Knoxville is now the first large city in the U.S. to install this new advanced lighting technology. “Our new lamp combines LED and mesh technology, allowing for unprecedented control over architectural lighting applications,” she stated at the event.
A New Era of Bridge Lighting
The updates to the bridge’s lights are not just about aesthetics. The previous lights, installed during a significant $24.6 million bridge reconstruction project back in 2011, used outdated technology that proved ineffective over time. The old lights were powered through DMX cables, which were typically suited for indoor use, while the new setup features Bluetooth mesh technology, making it all wireless.
The process of updating the lights involved teamwork between Jamrog’s company and the City of Knoxville Engineering Department Signal Shop. Together, they dismantled the old lights, cleaned them, and replaced them with 180 new LED lights—90 on each side of the bridge. These sleek new lights promise not only to save costs but also allow for a versatile range of color displays that can be programmed to honor various local festivals and important causes.
Festive Colors Ahead
In the coming days, residents can look forward to celebrating the Knox Asian Festival with a vibrant display of colors on the bridge. Additionally, the lights will glow pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and will proudly showcase red, white, and blue throughout different occasions, including the anniversary of Knoxville’s founding and the upcoming national election day.
Mayor Kincannon expressed her enthusiasm for finally bringing the lights back, highlighting that the new system is cost-effective and can celebrate local events that are important to the city’s community. “This is something we’ve been wanting to do for some time. It’s now more reliable and affordable due to new technology that wasn’t available in 2018, when the original lights stopped working,” she shared.
Cost-Effective Innovation
Notably, the new LED smart lamp bulbs are reported to be one-tenth the cost of the old lighting systems, making it a win-win for the city and local businesses. The new technology was specifically developed with Knoxville in mind, ensuring that the city gets to support local innovation while enhancing its public infrastructure.
For those who want to plan ahead, a full schedule of the special commemorative lightings has been made available on the city’s website, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy different displays throughout the remainder of the year.
The Henley Bridge stands as both a functional crossing and a symbol of unity in Knoxville. As it lights up once again, it serves as a reminder of the city’s commitment to using modern technology to celebrate its rich history and vibrant community.
