Fancy new lights also efficient, says bridge authority (3 photos)

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE MARIE BRIDGE AUTHORITY

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International Bridge customers and residents of the sister cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Ontario, have a brighter, more colorful border crossing after the completion of a lighting replacement project.

In addition to being easier on the eyes, the new lighting system will be greener and more cost-effective than the old one.

The lighting changes are happening on the bridge deck and in the arches. International Bridge Administration (IBA) staff are currently replacing 56 high-pressure sodium (HPS) lighting fixtures on the bridge deck with new energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures.

The new lights were selected to closely match the lighting type and design of fixtures to be installed on poles on the Canada Customs Plaza and Toll Plaza projects.

"These LED lighting upgrade projects are part of our ongoing focus on energy savings and efficiency," said IBA General Manager Phil Becker. "The arch lights give a new look to the skyline of the Twin Saults. LED lighting will help us reduce our environmental footprint and free up financial resources so we can continue to provide the best possible service to our customers."

On Wednesday, bridge viewers saw a colorful change on the high curved arch portions of the bridge.

Over the past few weeks, arch lights were off while the IBA upgraded the 96 HPS bulbs along the top of the U.S. and Canadian arch spans with colored LEDs.

The red, white, and blue array of lights installed on the U.S. arch and the red and white array on the Canadian arch represent the colors of each nation's flag.

The Canadian electrical grid powers the Canadian half of the bridge while the U.S. grid powers the U.S. portion.

Utilities on both sides of the border made the project more affordable by contributing energy efficiency incentives, through rebates from the Retrofit program from Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Distribution Inc. and Cloverland Electric Cooperative's Energy Optimization program.

Representatives from PUC and Cloverland presented checks totaling $13,449 (USD) during a ceremony at the center of the bridge span Wednesday.

"PUC is pleased to have worked with the International Bridge Authority on their upgrade to LED lighting project," said Brooke Suurna, PUC manager of Conservation, Facilities and Fleet. "By upgrading the International Bridge lighting to LED, the IBA will benefit from reduced maintenance costs, and operating expenses. LED lighting also lasts up to 25 times longer and uses up to 75 percent less energy than conventional lighting." 

Suurna said PUC's Retrofit program helps makes it possible for organizations to install and benefit from newer, more energy efficient solutions.

"We would like to thank the IBA for participating in the Retrofit program and becoming a leader in energy efficiency," he said.

Energy efficiency programs are starting to have a big impact region-wide. 

"Our Energy Optimization program offers some great energy efficiency rebates for our members," said Cloverland Electric Cooperative President and CEO Dan Dasho. "Last year, our commercial program processed more than 5,200 rebate applications, resulting in energy savings of about 5.3 million kilowatt-hours."

In addition to the IBA, the Michigan Department of Transportation has LED projects completed or underway at the US-2/I-75 interchange in St. Ignace and at the Mackinac Bridge.

LED lighting is also being incorporated into future designs, like the 2016 Ishpeming roundabout project.

The IBA estimates the cost to purchase, install and maintain the new bridge deck and arch lighting at $55,108 (USD).

The LED lights are expected to cost $27,188 after the rebates.

The IBA expects a 55 percent reduction in energy usage, which will result in savings of at least $44,310 in energy costs and $30,330 in maintenance costs over the life of the fixtures.

The expected payback on the investment is six years.

For more information on the Energy Optimization program, visit www.michigan-energy.org.

If your utility isn't on the list of participating service providers, try contacting them directly.

For more information on the Retrofit program, visit http://bit.ly/1DKJUkH.

For more information on the International Bridge, please visit www.saultbridge.com or follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/saultbridge.