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Chicago Bridges

Tracey Dear’s initial foray into the world of architectural lighting design, this project spanned eleven bridges over 1.2 miles of the Chicago River. The bascule bridges were illuminated with a series of fully synchronized and automated lights that shifted color in unison, reflecting on the glassy surface of the water. In order to withstand traffic vibration, the lighting had to be mounted in custom shock absorbing brackets, a special new system of fixtures that Dear helped design specifically for this project. The result was both sturdy and stunning, adding a new element to the Chicago skyline. As the city’s Department of Transportation Commissioner, Thomas Walker, noted, “Chicago’s movable bridge system is one of the most significant urban architectural treasures in the United States and has been all but invisible at night. This new lighting display creates a unique visual excitement.”


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