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Here's Why the George Washington Bridge Has Been Lit Up Every Night for the Last Few Weeks

  • The Curious Uptowner
  • 3 hours ago
  • 1 min read

The George Washington Bridge Tower Lights Are On for Only a Few Days a Year
A view of the tower lights on the George Washington Bridge in 2021.

It's not your imagination—the George Washington Bridge's towers have been lit up every night for the last few weeks.


And it turns out there's a very good reason for it.


The Port Authority of NY/NJ is testing out newly-installed LED lights on the almost-100-year-old bridge and has kept them on during the holidays.


The lights will shine at night until this weekend, according to an email the TCU received from an agency spokesperson.


Once the "relamping project" is finished in February, the Port Authority will announce the new lighting schedule.


TCU reached out to the agency after a fellow curious uptowner who sees the lights from his apartment asked us about the unusual occurrence—the GW Bridge's towers are typically only illuminated on federal holidays. (Thanks, Brian J., for the nudge!)


Here is the Port Authority's response in full:


"The Port Authority is completing a yearlong installation of new, energy-efficient LED lighting on the George Washington Bridge’s towers. In coordination with that work, new lighting was temporarily illuminated during the holiday period which will conclude this weekend. The relamping project is expected to be completed in February, after which the Port Authority will announce the bridge’s lighting schedule for 2026."


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