Vincent Thomas Bridge sparkles with solar-powered LEDs
Feb. 1, 2005
The Vincent Thomas Bridge, a key transportation link in Los Angeles Harbor has been fitted with blue LED fixtures. The 41-year old landmark is said to be the first bridge that combines LEDs with solar power.
The bridge is lit using 160 LED beacons supplied by LEDtronics. The BSD1928 fixtures contain a large array of 5-mm LEDs and have a 180-degree viewing angle. They consume 19.5 W of power, provide a luminous flux of 263 lm and have a retail price of $898.
Although less intense than lights from a previous design, the LEDs will be visible for miles in all directions, and the blue color was chosen to stand out from other harbor lights. As part of a compromise with conservation groups, the lights will switch on nightly only from dusk to midnight, so as to not disturb bird migratory patterns.