New Lights Highlight Iconic Bridge Superstructure

Farnsworth Group was the design team and engineer for the exterior decorative lighting of the Murray Baker Bridge in Peoria, IL, an iconic structure that carries Interstate-74 over the Illinois River.

Farnsworth Group's role began with public stakeholder meetings to solicit input from community and business leaders. The Farnsworth Group team conducted research into inspirational examples from around the world, developed design parameters, and prepared materials for the Stakeholder Meeting where consensus could be built to develop a conceptual lighting design. 

A consensus building exercise was completed and a desire for the static, but multi-colored, simple lighting of the exterior bridge elements was identified as the preference.

This is going to be iconic. People around the state are going to be talking about this; people around the Midwest are going to be talking about this. It's just going to be one more thing to draw people to Peoria as we transform ourselves into the coming years.

Electrical engineering included complete detailed plans and technical specifications, including luminaire and mounting details for the lights, wiring diagrams and lighting controller cabinets. The exterior lighting includes 502 lighting fixtures that will illuminate the bridge structure.

The superstructure will be lit in white, while the deck and pillars can display a variety of color options.