Queensboro Bridge Lights To Glow Again

Gazette photo

Lights will sparkle on the Queensboro Bridge tonight when 218 mercury vapor bulbs are set aglow through the generosity of the River Café, Travelex, Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP and the International Gemological Institute. The four businesses are each donating $20,000 per year for the next two years to restore the "necklace lights" on the Queensboro, Manhattan, Brooklyn and Williamsburg Bridges.

The donations were made to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, which in turn will reimburse the city Department of Transportation for the $75,000-a-year cost of operating the lights. The Manhattan Bridge boasts 304 of the 100-watt bulbs, the Brooklyn Bridge 160 bulbs and the Williamsburg Bridge 224 bulbs. First installed in the 1970s, the necklace lights can be seen from 25 miles away.

The River Cafe, Travelex, Carter Ledyard & Milburn and the International Gemological Institute "represent the best of New York’s business community," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. "The necklace lights on our bridges illuminate the East River and because of these outstanding corporate citizens, New Yorkers will once again be able to enjoy the sparkling lights that grace the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Willamsburg and Queensboro Bridges."

Department of Transportation Commissioner Iris Weinshall agreed. "We’ve always thought of the necklace lights as more than just the icing on the cake," she said. "I can’t thank the sponsors enough for their generosity and understanding of how much the lights mean to the city. These four magnificent crossings are by far the most prominent stars in our huge constellation of bridges."

"Relighting the bridges is the International Gemological Institute’s way of helping the city sparkle," Jerry Ehrenwald, institute president and chief executive officer, said. "New York’s necklace lights illuminate the city and the spirit of the people here." Steven Glusband, a member of the Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP executive committee added, "We are proud to mark our 150th year in Lower Manhattan by helping to keep New York City’s East River bridges lit."

"Even in challenging fiscal times, it’s important that these historic landmarks continue to welcome visitors to New York," Anthony Horne, Travelex Americas president, said. "Travelex appreciates the opportunity to support the Mayor’s Fund in this effort. As a member of the Lower Manhattan business community for almost 30 years, Travelex is pleased and proud to play its part in keeping the lights of the East River bridges burning brightly."

"The Brooklyn Bridge, the jewel of New York, now has its magic back," Michael "Buzz" O’Keeffe of the River Café, which is located at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, declared. "Once again the River Cafe’s guests from around the world, as well as all new Yorkers and our millions of visitors, can see the most popular view in America in full dress, adorned with its beautiful necklace of lights."

The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City raises money to promote the general welfare of the city’s residents and aid civic improvements. The fund supports the work of many city agencies, including the Departments of Parks, Education, Health, and Transportation and Cultural Affairs and raises funds for many quality of life initiatives. For more information about the fund, call the ‘311’city information hotline number.