A lighting proposal for the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge is moving forward after a $300,000 donation from BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair, the Port of San Diego announced on Tuesday.
The San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge Proposed Artistic Lighting Project will cost a total of $8 million. It would illuminate the bridge with energy-efficient, aesthetic LED lights.
But the project had been put on hold for the past few years due to a lack of funding.
The donation will help pay for a feasibility plan, which is Phase 2 of the project, which hopes to turn the bridge into an iconic landmark.
"I've been here for many years. The business has been here for many years and I think it’s a great project to light it up for not just for the surrounding community in Barrio Logan, but the entire city of San Diego,” said Bob Koerber, Vice President of BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair.
BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair has previously made a $31,000 donation to the project. The feasibility study will begin soon and can take anywhere from one to two years.
San Diegan Anne Thompson told NBC 7 that the lighting will add to the atmosphere of the bridge.
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"You know the bridge is so attractive as it is. It brings so much attention to the island and to have it lit up with lights we can't see a negative,” Thompson said. “It just seems like they'll be beautiful.”
But suicide prevention activists believe that the addition of lights will lead to more problems and had called for nets to be placed on the bridge.
NBC 7 reached to officials regarding the issue. A spokeswoman sent us the following statement:
“The San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge Proposed Artistic Lighting Project will require a Caltrans Encroachment Permit, as will a project to install barriers or netting on the San Diego-Coronado Bridge. Neither is a Caltrans project. The Coronado San Diego Bridge Collaborative will have more information about its efforts to raise funds for a feasibility study to install suicide prevention devices on the bridge.
The Port of San Diego says the project will be paid for through generous donors.
