Unused Bridge Lighting Project Auctioned Off
It seems the lights have finally dimmed on this particular project.
In an unusual turn of events, state power officials are selling off a vast collection of decorative bridge lights that were intended to be part of a $106 million initiative by former governor Andrew Cuomo. This project was meant to enhance the city’s skyline.
Wright, who placed a bid of just $25, is poised to gain quite a deal. It’s an interesting outcome for what was an elaborate lighting project that never materialized. Officials have mentioned that a considerable sum will be reimbursed to the state due to this failed endeavor.
Cuomo announced the New York Harbour Crossing Project back in 2017, envisioning vibrant lighting fixtures along all nine MTA bridges and tunnels.
However, critics dismissed the decorative lights as an unnecessary extravagance, especially during what was termed “The Summer of Hell” when transportation services struggled significantly.
In response to the backlash surrounding the declining metro services, Cuomo halted the lighting program and subsequently stored the $106 million worth of fixtures that had been purchased.
The situation was further complicated by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
After eight years of gathering dust in storage, these bulbs remain unused despite Cuomo’s ambition of delivering a light show that would “blow people away.”
The New York Power Authority incurred around $300,000 annually in storage fees, contributing to a total expenditure of approximately $108 million for the Bridge Light project.
The lights became somewhat of a forgotten project after Cuomo’s resignation amid serious allegations of misconduct. Senior MTA officials, preoccupied with more pressing matters, were not inclined to revisit the Light Show.
“We tried to find new homes for these lights. Despite our best efforts, demand just wasn’t there, so the next rational step was to auction them off,” officials remarked.
Supporters of public transit and governmental watchdogs pointed out that this fiasco puts into question the management capabilities touted by Cuomo and his advocates.
“Cuomo claims he makes significant contributions, but he’s been criticized for allowing millions to struggle,” stated Danny Pearlstein from the NYC Riders Alliance.
This project isn’t just seen as a misuse of funds by Cuomo.
As reported, he instructed the MTA to allocate up to $30 million towards decorating two city tunnels – Brooklyn Battery and Queens Midtown – in the state’s blue and gold colors rather than redirecting those funds for essential subway repairs.
“This is the individual who frames himself as a management expert. This Bridgelight project is nothing short of a complete disaster,” said John Kenny, executive director of the watchdog group. “Cuomo placed an enormous financial burden on taxpayers; this wasn’t just mismanagement during a crisis; it was deliberate mismanagement,” he added.
Cuomo’s campaign did not provide any comments regarding the situation.
Governor Kathy Hochul, who served as lieutenant governor at the time, also refrained from making any statements.
