February 18, 2022

Locals Vexed by Glitches in $32M Lighting Project

A dynamic lighting system for a high-profile bridge project has been hindered by operational challenges

Reports in Birmingham, Alabama describe a "massive lighting problem" that for nine months has been plaguing an expensive dynamic lighting installation on a large, high profile bridge project.

The project was part of a $700 million project for rebuilt bridges at Alabama’s busiest interstate junction, I-59 and I-20. In what appears to be an exquisite design and installation, the Winona lighting fixtures on the project were specified by prominent New York lighting design firm, Domingo González Associates. We communicated with multiple people close to the project and received no indication that the months-long lighting challenges are stemming from the lighting fixtures or the lighting design.

A representative from the project owner, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), told the WVTM I-Team that excessive voltage to the lighting system is causing the "glitch." ALDOT claims to be holding general contractor Johnson Brothers' feet to the fire and is withholding the final $1 million payment until the situation is resolved. According to AL.com, Johnson Brothers received a $15 million bonus for finishing the project 2 months before the March 2020 target completion date.

The project's electrical contractor, Stone & Sons, did not respond to our Thursday request for information.

The $32 million lighting system price tag cited by the WVTM report above includes installation costs and other construction management costs.

BELOW: December 2020 drone video of the installation