Power Authority Auctions Off Unused Lights From Failed Bridge Lighting Project

By Idy Perl

Its lights out on the “New York Harbor Crossings Project” lighting program that then-Governor Cuomo first announced in 2017.

The project was going to light up the nine MTA bridges, the Hudson River crossings, including the George Washington Bridge, and the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge with a multicolored light show in what Cuomo thought would become New York’s biggest tourist attraction. Unfortunately, the project came at a time when New Yorkers were concerned with ongoing issues in the transit system and weren’t very enthusiastic about slapping colorful lights onto bridges.

The program was suspended, but not before $106 million worth of lights were purchased. The lights were put into storage when COVID-19 hit, and have been gathering dust there ever since, costing the state $300,000 in storage fees every year.

As no other use has been identified for the lights, they will now be getting auctioned off to the highest bidder, starting at a minimum bid of $25.

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