In a bid to cast a new light on the Fort Worth West 7th Bridge, the City Council has greenlit a budget boost aimed at tackling the ongoing lighting woes that have left locals in the dark. The iconic span, celebrated for its design, has been plagued by the unholy matrimony of vandalism and seeping moisture—an unholy alliance rendering its illumination system less reliable than a politician's promise.

The bridge's decade-long stand against time means the warranty has long expired, and the illuminated marvel now falls squarely on the city's shoulders for upkeep. As residents clamor for safety in the night, the powers-that-be have heeded their call with approval of funds sure to ignite a brighter future for this beleaguered beacon, according to the City of Fort Worth.

Dig a bit deeper, and you'll find plans that include a specialized engineering inspection of needed repairs and a shiny new safety lighting design that promises endurance against the elements. Uniting technology with tenacity, the new system will feature marine-grade specs to combat rogue water and mercurial weather.

The Transportation & Public Works Department has its hands full with public appeals spotlighting the West 7th Bridge safety lighting—or the lack thereof. In a city where voices matter, this project is a parade float in the procession of public opinion, prioritized because the people demanded it. An impressive $2.5 million from the FY 2024 vault is earmarked to draft and manifest these luminous plans. In an intricate dance of city bureaucracy, TPW is reportedly charming a potential design consultant as negotiations continue to thread the needle towards finalization.