Bay Bridge's "Bay Lights" Return: Grand Lighting Celebration

"Arts nonprofit Illuminate just announced that the 1.8-mile installation by light artist Leo Villareal has been fully rebuilt and will once again illuminate the bridge nightly from dusk to dawn. The original Bay Lights debuted in 2013 and ran for nearly a decade before shutting down in March 2023 after prolonged exposure to wind, salt air, moisture and vibration caused widespread system failures."

"The new installation features 48,000 custom-engineered LEDs mounted along the northern cable plane of the bridge's western span. The system was engineered and fabricated by Musco Lighting and is designed for long-term durability, with a 10-year warranty. Installation has been underway in recent weeks, with Caltrans confirming overnight lane closures as crews mounted lighting equipment along the cables. Earlier reports referred to an expanded concept called "Bay Lights 360," which would add inward-facing LEDs to increase visibility from additional Bay Area communities."

"Illuminate now confirms that this expanded phase, officially called TBL360, will launch separately following final safety testing and agency review. The March 20 Grand Lighting will feature the primary north-facing installation, the view most associated with the original artwork. The relighting date coincides with the 92nd birthday of Willie L. Brown , the former San Francisco mayor for whom the bridge's western span is for"

The Bay Lights will return to the western span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge with a Grand Lighting on March 20, 2026. The 1.8-mile installation was fully rebuilt after system failures caused by wind, salt air, moisture and vibration led to its 2023 shutdown. The new system uses 48,000 custom-engineered LEDs mounted along the northern cable plane, engineered and fabricated by Musco Lighting with a 10-year warranty for durability in the marine environment. Installation included overnight lane closures confirmed by Caltrans. An expanded phase called TBL360 will launch separately after safety testing and agency review.

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