Bridge Lighting |
Consulting Architect, Irving F. Morrow, wrote Report on Color and Lighting to Chief Engineer, Joseph B. Strauss, on April 6, 1935. In his report, he indicated that the two most important factors in lighting the Golden Gate Bridge are: 1) the enormous size of the project; and, 2) the tremendous scale and dignity of the project. Morrow carefully weighed these considerations as he designed his lighting scheme, one which would even further accent the uniqueness of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Because of the Bridge's great size, Morrow did not want the same intensity of light on all of its parts. The effect would seem too artificial. The towers, for example, were to have less light at the top, so they would seem to soar beyond the range of illumination. further, because of the scale and dignity of the Bridge, Morrow believed tricky, flashy or spectacular lighting would be unworthy of the structure's magnificence. Thus, he selected low pressure sodium vapor lamps with a subtle amber glow for the roadway, providing warm, non-glare lighting for passing motorists. The lamps were the most modern available in 1937.
Forty-five years later in 1972, the original low pressure sodium roadway lights were replaced with high-pressure sodium vapor lamps. These modern lamps provide improved lighting at a lower cost. To preserve the original warm glow, the new lampheads have a plastic amber lens One of the original lamps is still burning at the Bridge behind the Roundhouse Gift Center just east of the Toll Plaza.
The tower lighting, as originally envisioned by Morrow, was not installed during the construction of the Bridge due to budgetary constraints. However, in 1987, shortly after the 50th Anniversary, the Bridge towers came to life with light on June 22, 1987. Just as Morrow had envisioned, the new lighting made the towers seem to disappear into the evening darkness, further accenting their great height. The tower lighting was installed at a cost of nearly $1.2 million, funded in part, through a generous grant from Pacific Gas & Electric Company. The lighting was installed by Abbett Electric Company, who under-bid the original construction estimates by nearly $1 million.
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Roadway Lights:
128 from abutment to abutment. These are high pressure sodium (HPS), 227 volt and 250 watt each. These lights were installed in 1972, 35 years after the completion of the Bridge. The original roadway lights were low pressure sodium, 90 watts each. (see photo of original light below)
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Tower Sidewalk Lights:
24 total for the sidewalks around both towers. These are low pressure sodium, 35 watts each.
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Tower Decorative Lighting:
12 above the roadway for each tower. These are HPS, 400 watts each.
There are also 12 below the roadway for each tower; four are 150 watts, four are 250 watts, and four are 400 watts. All are HPS.
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Tower Lights:
Each tower has an airway beacon at the very top of the tower. Each beacon has two 750 watt lamps.
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Pier Navigation Lights:
South pier has one 1000 watt beacon facing north, and four 116 watt lights on the fender, one on each side.
North pier has three 116 watt lights on three sides facing the water.
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Main Cable Lights:
There are eight 116 watt lights on each cable.
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Midspan:
Eight lights mark the center of the Bridge below the deck at midspan; four on each side in a vertical column. The top three lights are white, the bottom light green.
Photo courtesy of Josh.
This original roadway light is on display at:
Buckeye Appliance
714 W. Fremont
Stockton CA.