Coronado Bridge Lighting Project

A Major Milestone

As the Port of San Diego moves forward with its San Diego - Coronado Bay Bridge Lighting Project, the vision for lighting up the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge has come more into focus. For one week – Sunday, November 8 to Saturday, November 14 – a portion of the bridge was temporarily illuminated as the Port conducted the first overwater lighting field test. This testing is the next step in studying the vision to create a monumental signature artwork for the region.

Following authorization of a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) from the California Coastal Commission, testing of the LED infrastructure, placement, and color displays was conducted on three of the tallest bridge columns (the vertical support structures beneath the bridge) near the center of the bridge span. Each night during the week of testing, lighting in different colors, combinations, sequencing, and arrangements was intermittently visible to San Diegans and visitors to San Diego Bay as lights were configured and tested in real-time, including occasional periods of darkness as other aspects of the installation were tested.

The week of technical testing was necessary to evaluate the lighting design that had been developed to-date, its technical functionality, and its ability to effectively display the broad range of artistic color lighting as originally envisioned. During the testing, 170 computer-programable color LED luminaires and controllers were temporarily installed, and the project team and design consultants had an opportunity to take measurements, collect data, and identify adjustments that may be necessary as the project’s design development continues. The testing helps the team better understand the project’s feasibility and capabilities, answer questions related to engineering, design, sustainability, and will be used for environmental review, which is the essential next step of the project. This test is a significant milestone in moving forward with the project, and as it is completed over the next several years, it is expected to provide an artistic architectural lighting installation along the length of the bridge from Coronado shoreline to Harbor Drive in San Diego.

Project Overview

The proposed San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge Lighting Project envisions a colorful, illuminated canvas across San Diego Bay – a programmable LED lighting installation, powered from sustainable energy sources, which will create a unique aesthetic identity for the bridge and the bay after dark. It’s intended to create a distinctive and timeless artwork for the region that will enliven the public environment and celebrate a recognized San Diego landmark.

The project is being managed through a partnership between the Port of San Diego and the  California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), which has jurisdiction over, operates, and maintains the 2.12-mile bridge. The project is intended to be entirely funded through donations. The Port provides leadership for the project and managed the selection process for an artist group that will design one of the unique lighting programs intended for future display on the illuminated canvas. The Design Team is a combined European and North American group led by artist Peter Fink of Studio Fink, LTD in collaboration with architectural lighting specialists Speirs+Major Associates, and Buro Happold Consulting Engineers, Inc., which has practical experience in large-scale lighting projects and an extensive, award-winning track record of creativity.