LED Lights for Bridges

What are LED Bridge Light Fixtures?

Bridge lighting includes specialized fixtures designed to illuminate vehicle traffic, pedestrian walkways, and structural elements. Our bridge lighting solutions address the unique challenges of elevated environments with purpose-built options:

What are the Benefits of Using LED Lighting Fixtures for Bridges?

• Enhanced Visibility - Modern LED optics eliminate uneven light patterns found in legacy systems. Properly specified fixtures provide uniform illumination that meets IES RP-8 roadway standards and reduce glare for drivers.
• Energy Efficiency - Bridge operators often achieve 60-70% energy savings when replacing metal halide systems. A typical 400W metal halide can be replaced with a 150W LED equivalent without reducing light levels.
• Reduced Operational Costs - Maintenance on bridges requires traffic management and special equipment. LED conversion reduces frequent, costly interventions required every 2-3 years with traditional lighting.
• Long Lifespan - Properly specified bridge fixtures deliver 100,000+ hour performance, supporting 20+ years of reliable nightly operation.
• Durability - Bridge environments expose fixtures to vibration and temperature cycling. IP65-rated housings and vibration-resistant drivers support long-term reliability.
• Low Maintenance - Solid-state LED design eliminates ballast failures and socket corrosion, allowing teams to focus on structural maintenance instead of routine lighting repairs.
• Instant On - Full brightness activates immediately, critical for emergency response. Compatible with photocell controls and 1-10V dimming for adaptive lighting.
• Reduced Light Pollution - Precision optics and optional full cutoff shields keep light within the bridge envelope, protecting waterways while maintaining required illumination.
• Marine Grade Finishes - Coastal bridges benefit from polyester powder-coat finishes and marine-grade aluminum construction that resist corrosion from salt spray.

Choosing the Right LED Bridge Lighting Configuration

Bridge illumination requires careful consideration of mounting height, roadway width, and traffic patterns. For standard highway bridges with 30-35 foot mounting heights, Type III distribution fixtures with 4000K color temperature are recommended for optimal visibility.

Narrow pedestrian bridges perform well with Type II distributions, while complex interchanges benefit from Type V circular patterns. Power requirements typically range from 100W to 300W per fixture, depending on spacing and coverage. Most bridge applications use 480V input power, and our integral drivers accommodate voltage variations. For retrofits, existing pole spacing often determines the ideal wattage.

Installation Considerations for Bridge LED Lighting

Bridge installations present challenges such as wind loading, structural attachment, and electrical routing. Our fixtures feature low EPA wind loading ratings for exposed environments. Mounting options include slip-fitter attachments for existing poles and direct-mount brackets for new construction.

Vibration from traffic requires fixtures with robust internal components. We specify surge protection up to 10kV and vibration-rated drivers to maintain performance under movement. Proper grounding is critical in these elevated, exposed installations.

Smart Controls Integration for Bridge Lighting

Modern bridge lighting benefits from intelligent control systems that adjust output based on traffic and ambient light. Our fixtures support 0-10V dimming protocols and integrate with wireless mesh networks for centralized monitoring. Photocell integration provides automatic dusk-to-dawn operation, and motion sensors can boost light during pedestrian activity.

Many bridge operators use bi-level lighting strategies to reduce output during low-traffic periods, extending fixture life and maintaining safety. These systems typically achieve additional energy savings of 20-30% beyond base LED efficiency.

Utility Rebates and Bridge LED Conversions

Bridge lighting projects often qualify for substantial utility incentives due to high visibility and significant energy savings. DLC Premium certification ensures maximum rebate eligibility, with many utilities offering enhanced incentives for transportation infrastructure upgrades.

We assist with rebate applications and provide required documentation, including photometric reports and energy calculations. Payback periods for bridge LED conversions typically range from 3-5 years, depending on site conditions, energy savings, maintenance reduction, and available incentives.

Safety and Performance Certifications

All our fixtures carry essential certifications, including DLC Premium for energy efficiency and rebate eligibility, and UL Listed and ETL Listed for electrical safety and product compliance. These certifications help ensure safety, performance, and access to utility rebates and tax incentives.

5-Year Warranty and Warranty Support

All our lights come with at least a 5-year warranty, and all warranty support is based in the USA. Our experienced support team understands the importance of keeping your lighting operational and will work quickly to resolve any warranty issues.

LED Lights for Bridges Frequently Asked Questions

What are LED bridge light fixtures?

LED bridge light fixtures include street lights, shoebox lights, flood lights, wall packs, and vapor proof lights engineered for vehicle traffic, pedestrian walkways, and structural illumination. Distribution options include Type II, III, and V patterns, with beam angles from 15 to 120 degrees for different coverage requirements.

What are the benefits of using LED lighting fixtures for bridges?

Bridge LED conversions achieve 60-70% energy savings compared to metal halide systems, with a 400W metal halide converting to a 150W LED equivalent. Fixtures deliver 100,000+ hour lifespans and feature IP65-rated housings with vibration-resistant drivers for exposed environments.

How do I choose the right LED bridge lighting configuration?

For highway bridges with 30-35 foot mounting heights, Type III distribution fixtures with 4000K color temperature provide optimal visibility. Power requirements range from 100W to 300W per fixture, and most bridge applications utilize 480V input power with integral drivers that accommodate voltage variations.

What installation considerations apply to bridge LED lighting?

Fixtures require low EPA wind loading ratings for exposed environments and surge protection up to 10kV with vibration-rated drivers. Mounting options include slip-fitter attachments for existing poles and direct-mount brackets for new construction.

What smart controls integrate with LED bridge lights?

Fixtures accommodate 0-10V dimming protocols, photocell integration for dusk-to-dawn operation, and wireless mesh networks for centralized monitoring. Bi-level lighting strategies that reduce output during low-traffic periods achieve additional energy savings of 20-30% beyond base LED efficiency.

Do LED bridge lighting projects qualify for utility rebates?

DLC Premium certification ensures maximum rebate eligibility, with many utilities offering enhanced incentives for transportation infrastructure upgrades. Payback periods for bridge LED conversions range from 3-5 years when factoring in energy savings, maintenance reduction, and available incentives.

What safety certifications do LED bridge light fixtures carry?

Fixtures carry DLC Premium, UL Listed, and ETL Listed approvals for safety, performance, and rebate eligibility. Additional ratings include IP65 protection and IK08 impact resistance for durability in exposed bridge environments.

What warranty coverage is included with LED bridge light fixtures?

All fixtures include at least a 5-year warranty with USA-based warranty support.