The people have spoken in their opportunity to select the 50th anniversary lighting design that will be featured on the Sault Ste. Marie
International Bridge next year.
The bridge, which spans the St. Marys River between the Michigan and Ontario cities of Sault Ste. Marie, will be lighted with a design that follows the national flag colors. The Canadian arch will include red and white lights and the U.S. arches will include red, white and blue lights. The design will incorporate industrial rope light strands that are secured to, and follow, the cured top and bottom profile of the east side of the arch spans.
In addition, the number 50 will also be created with rope lights at the center of the U.S. arch profile and at the center of the Canadian arch profile.
The design was selected via online voting on a site created by the International Bridge Authority.
"The Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge Authority Board of Directors and the IBA staff are very pleased with the overwhelming response from the public," says Phil Becker, IBA general manager. "Our goal was to get the public involved in the selection and build the anticipation and excitement for next year’s celebration, and we’ve achieved that."
Unfortunately, there was some tinkering in the results. An automated system began casting multiple votes on the final day of voting, though it was discovered before the final tally. To acknowledge as many properly cast votes as possible, the winning design was based on vote totals from just prior to when the automated voting began.
The selected lighting concept will be installed in early 2012 and lit on June 28 at the anniversary lighting celebration event, planned to coincide with the annual bridge walk weekend. Other celebration events being planned will be announced as details are finalized.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Phil Becker, International Bridge Authority
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