Salem, Oregon – The City of Salem has completed a decorative lighting project that illuminates the lift span towers and counterweights on the Union Street Railroad Bridge. Both towers can be lit in any number of colors and color combinations thanks to a state of the art computer control system and energy efficient LED lights.
The bridge will be lit in purple through October 16, 2011, in order to recognize the importance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Lighting the bridge in purple was in response to an idea from the staff of the Mid-Valley Women’s Crisis Service. “This organization helped plant the idea of lighting the bridge similar to how the bridges are lit in Portland by the Willamette Light Brigade, ” states Mark Becktel, Parks and Transportation Services Manager for Salem Public Works. “We hope that people will be reminded of the importance of preventing domestic violence in our community when they see the purple lights on the bridge.”
The lighting system was purchased and installed using federal stimulus funds remaining from the bridge painting project that was completed in May 2010. In addition to being lit every evening in a variety of colors, the City will have the ability to light the bridge in special color displays during holidays and special events. Community organizations will be able to request special colors and light displays during the course of the year.
Lighting this iconic image of Salem’s City Center aligns with several Vision 2020 goals, adds to the City Center’s public art landscape, and supports the vision of a vibrant destination. The Union Street Railroad Bridge itself also fulfilled Vision 2020 goals of creating more bicycle and pedestrian connections as well as enhancing connections between east and west. For more on Vision 2020, go to http://www.cityofsalem.net/Vision2020.html.
News Release From: City of Salem