More bridges to be lit up

A bridge lighting ceremony was held last month to celebrate the installation of new lighting on both Victoria and Armagh street bridges, and to commemorate 100 years of electricity in Christchurch.

The new lights on the Armagh and Victoria street bridges have been gifted to the city by Orion, as part of its centenary celebrations.

The project has involved installing 50 per cent more lights on the Victoria Street bridge. Due to the use of new technology, the new lights use around 50% less power. Eighteen watt fluorescent lights have been installed along the edge of the bridge’s cast-iron rails and there are new lights at each end including portable reflectors. Spotlights, aimed down the exposed beams of the bridge, have been installed as well as new lighting underneath.

The next bridge to be upgraded with new lighting is Worcester Street bridge, which should be installed over the next few months.

The lighting of the two bridges is part of a Christchurch City Council project to light all eight bridges along the Avon River between Manchester Street and the Bridge of Remembrance.