The Tri-Cities cable bridge was a sensation in 1978. LED lights could make it one again
The iconic Tri-Cities cable bridge, the engineering masterpiece that inspired countless copies, could get a dazzling update worthy of its storied history.
A small group of volunteers is seeking support from officials in Kennewick and Pasco to replace the old sodium vapor lights with an energy efficient, programmable LED system.
If they succeed, the bridge could more easily be lit to honor Water Follies, high school graduations and other community events.
Kathy Lampson together with Karen Miller and Deb Culverhouse began promoting a lighting update about two years ago. They argue it is time to replace the power hungry lights that cast white beams with the same modern technology employed on bridges around the country.
The cable bridge is occasionally flooded with different colors but only when special lenses are bolted onto each of the 144 light fixtures. The expense and risk make that rare.
“We’re just three girls that are trying to float an idea,” Lampson said. “We see that it’s a no brainer.”
Visit Tri-Cities lends a hand
Lampson, Miller and Culverhouse pitched the idea to local governments and found a champion in Visit Tri-Cities, the tourism promotion agency. Momentum stalled when director Michael Novakovich departed and the agency searched for his eventual replacement, Kevin Lewis.
Lampson reports interest is revived. The Tri-City Rivershore Enhancement Council, managed by Visit Tri-Cities, is preparing an interlocal agreement to pursue the idea.
It is asking the cities and ports of Kennewick and Pasco each to contribute $25,000 to study the idea and nail down a cost, probably in the $2 million range.
The Port of Pasco sees value in modernizing the bridge, Randy Hayden, executive director, recently told his elected commission.
Hayden said he expected to authorize the expense, calling it a great way to complement the port’s plans to rebuild its wharf, which is a short distance down stream.
“That would be a great entrance into our wharf,” he said.
The Port of Kennewick commission previously expressed support and will discuss contributing to the effort at its Nov. 14 meeting.
Sensational debut
The cable bridge was a hit when it opened in 1978. The ribbon cutting attracted everyone who was anyone in the state, including Washington Gov. Dixie Lee Ray and U.S. Rep. Tom Foley, the Speaker of the House from Spokane. Design honors flowed in and cable stayed bridges gained traction across the U.S.
In 1985, President Ronald Reagan honored it with the first ever Presidential Award for Design Excellence. Architect I.M. Pei chaired the jury committee.
But it is eclipsed by the bridges that it inspired. One example is Portland’s Tillikum Crossing, a cable stayed crossing that opened in 2015 and spans the Willamette River near downtown. It is fully lit and anchors the popular Portland Light festival.
Tri-Citians will come together to upgrade their own bridge, Lampson predicted.
The cable bridge was first washed in a color other than white in September 2013. Ovarian Cancer Together, a local nonprofit, raised $5,000 to install teal blue screens on each light for an awareness campaign.
The campaign was a success, but the cost was too prohibitive to repeat it often.
The cable bridge was originally built by the cities of Kennewick and Pasco but is now owned and managed by the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Any lighting plan will have to comply with DOT’s strict safety rules.
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