It’s reported that San Rafael Bridge is taking on a slightly different glow these days, thanks to the installation of energy-saving LED lights.
The new lights going in on the Richmond-San Rafael and Carquinez bridges are part of a pilot project to determine if they are tough enough to use on all state-run bridges in the region.
Bob Haus, a spokesman for the California Department of Transportation said "You can see the difference between the lights; the old lights give off a yellow-green fuzzy color, while new lights are a warm, white glow." The light-emitting diode or LED lights use 60 percent less energy and are expected to last 10 years, five times longer than the old high-pressure sodium bulbs, Haus indicated.
Work on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge started on the Richmond side and is working toward the Marin side. On the Golden Gate Bridge - which is not operated by Caltrans - some lights have been converted to LED, but not those on the roadway and towers because of aesthetics.
"We evaluated it, but the LED lights would give the bridge a different look," said Mary Currie, bridge district spokeswoman.
The LED lights that are used on the Golden Gate Bridge - including at the toll plaza - have worked well, said Denis Mulligan, bridge engineer. "They not are only more energy efficient, but they cut labor costs because you don't have to change them as often."
This summer, Mill Valley became the first city in Marin to test LED streetlights to see if they would save energy and reduce maintenance costs. San Rafael, Novato and Mill Valley are among cities that have outfitted traffic signals with energy-efficient lights.
