The new I-35W Saint Anthony Falls Bridge features an innovative lighting
system. Based on LED technology, it provides more consistent light levels and
uses 13% less energy than traditional high-pressure sodium lamps.
The bridge deck is illuminated by white LED panels mounted on 40-foot tall
poles. The light color is closer to natural light, which is a more comfortable
light color, especially for older drivers. The LED panels provide more even
and diffused light than traditional street lights, providing consistent light
levels on the bridge deck without bright and dark spots. This is the first
segment of Interstate highway in the US to be illuminated with LED lighting.
The underside of the bridge is lit by a series of multi-color LED fixtures.
These fixtures have red, green, and blue LEDs, allowing nearly any light
color to be displayed. The computerized lighting controller can address
each light fixture individually. It has been reported that MN-DOT is not
quite sure what they plan to do with this lighting system over the long term.
The bridge design called for the bridge to be bathed in a blue glow. Two
different colors of blue have been tried. There was talk of lighting the
bridge in white, with other colors reserved for special occasions. Since 95%
of people who were polled preferred blue, it has been used
in the year since the bridge opened. A local resident who lives near the
the bridge reported seeing the bridge in green one night while the lights
were being tested, and the bridge was lit up in pink one night in support
of breast cancer awareness.
The photos above and below are views of the upstream face of the bridge as
seen from Mill Ruins Park on the south bank of the river between the upper
and lower falls. The blue color of the bridge is nothing short of stunning.
It looks like something out of a science fiction movie. Adding to this
scene are the incredible reflections on the surface of the water. The photo
above has a little longer exposure to bring out the intensity of the
reflections, while the photo below is a little shorter exposure to avoid
overexposing the various light sources in the scene.
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used without written permission.
The photo above is a view of the east face of the I-35W bridge looking
north across the Mississippi River. This is perhaps the best view of the
bridge that is available. To get to this location, head towards the
Holiday Inn Metrodome, then follow the street that runs behind the parking
ramp for the hotel. There is on-street parking available. Then walk towards
the river, being careful not to fall off of the rather steep bluff at the
edge of the river.
The photo below is a view looking south towards the bridge deck from the
top of the entrance ramp at University Avenue. The light blue lines are a
monument at the north end of the bridge. The deep blue light is from the
underside of the bridge structure. The green light in the background is the
Holiday Inn mentioned above. Note the two different styles of street lights.
The tall orange lights in the foreground are high pressure sodium lights.
The shorter white street lights on the bridge are the newer LED lights.
