The Bay Area's nightscape is about to get a major upgrade as crews are hard at work reinstalling the beloved Bay Lights art installation. After a period of pitching black that spanned almost two years, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is set to twinkle again with 50,000 custom-engineered LED lights - a setup that's twice as robust as its predecessor. According to The San Francisco Chronicle, the public can expect to see tests of the new lights early next year in anticipation of a full-on relaunch later this winter.
It seems like only yesterday that the original lights went dark in March 2023, succumbing to the ravages of what can only be described as a harsh environmental cocktail of wind, fog, and car exhaust. Illuminate, the non-profit organization that champions the project, has confirmed that these robust lights are designed to endure through 2035 and beyond, ensuring the bridge will glimmer for many years. "You can expect to see testing of the new strands starting early in the new year," Illuminate shared on Instagram.
Artist Leo Villareal, who originally conjured the Bay Lights' dancing patterns, is once again at the helm creatively. The reinstallation reflects Illuminate's strong vote of confidence, which has raised nearly all the $11 million needed for the project through private donations and crowdfunding efforts, as reported by Illuminate's website. This wave of philanthropy underscores the Bay Lights' status as an art piece and a symbol of community and innovation.
