Downtown Jacksonville is set to get a major placemaking boost this summer when Jacksonville Transportation Authority completes the installation of new LED lights across the Acosta Bridge.
Last night, JTA conducted what is expected to be the final round of testing for the new light system, alternating between various colors on a 48-foot strip of lights along the middle section of the bridge.
The new lights will be programmable to just about any color including “JTA Red,” Jaguars teal, and red, white, and blue for July 4, and will be able to be utilized for holidays and major events. They will replace the previous blue neon lighting along the bridge which were installed in 1999 and broke down beyond repair in 2014.
The $2.6 million project, which also included removal of the old neon lights, was approved by JTA’s board of directors back in late 2018. The company partnered with local electrical contractor Miller Electric Company on the development and installation of the new lights.
In total, around 2,500 feet of LED lights will be installed along the bridge, which opened in early ‘90s to replace the outdated original span.
Installation of the new lights will continue through early summer; barring any potential setbacks, JTA hopes to debut the full span of new lighting on July 4 as part of Independence Day celebrations.
