This webpage provides information about the color-programmable LED architectural lighting system on the New Hope-Lambertville Toll-Supported Bridge. Eligible civic, cultural, and community organizations should use the application form on this webage to request temporary color schemes.

All special lighting requests must be made by application to the Commission and MUST BE RECEIVED at least 30 days in advance of a date that is being requested.  Approval of respective eligible requests is at the sole discretion of the Commission. Requests made via, or including, petitions and/or social media campaigns will not be considered.  There are no automatic request renewals; applicants for lighting requests must be filed annually to be considered.  The Commission also does not accept lighting requests more than 12 months in advance of a requested lighting date.)

The Commission’s full lighting policy, an application form, annual lighting schedule, and additional information is below.  (Note:  The Commission may change its lighting policy at any time without notice.)

The New Hope-Lambertville Toll-Supported Bridge directly connects the commercial centers in New Hope, PA. and Lambertville, N.J.  It is a pin-connected steel Pratt-truss structure designed by R.G. Develin of the former  Pennsylvania Railroad. It replaced a former covered wooden bridge that was destroyed in the infamous Pumpkin Flood of October 1903. The current steel bridge was constructed for the shareholder-owned New Hope Delaware Bridge Company, which opened it to traffic July 22, 1904 and operated it as tolled crossing (including for bicyclists and pedestrians) until 1920.

The Commission has owned the bridge since July 1, 1987. As part of a rehabilitation project largely conducted in 2024, the Commission outfitted it with an LED lighting system to highlight the bridge’s architectural profile along the river.  It is the second Commission bridge to be fully outfitted with an architectural lighting system.

 

New Hope-Lambertville Toll-Supported Bridge Lighting Policy

Organizations seeking temporary color(s) on the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge programmable color-changing LED architectural lighting system should first read the lighting policy prior to submitting an application.

  • The New Hope-Lambertville Bridge’s architectural lighting and animation will be run at the sole discretion of Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.
  • The sign lighting system will not be adjusted for personal events, birthdays, anniversaries or other personal occasions. Major civic events and historic federal, state, and local anniversaries will be considered.
  • All requested temporary adjustments to the lighting system must be in keeping with Commission values and conform to Commission standards of appropriateness and good taste.
  • The special program colors will run from 30 minutes before sunset until 11 p.m.  Traditional white returns at 11 p.m. and continues until dawn.
  • Submit your requests a minimum of 30 days in advance of the requested dates.
  • Please provide several dates, or a range of dates you would like the color alteration to appear. Color requests from community partners typically run one or two consecutive nights; however, final date (or date range) selection is based upon availability and solely at the Commission’s discretion.
  • Utilize the Temporary Lighting Adjustment Request Form on this webpage.
  • Submit the form either electronically following the directions on this webpage, via email to communityaffairs@drjtbc.org
  • If possible, please provide the RGB or CMYK values for your requested lighting color(s).

TEMPORARY LIGHTING ADJUSTMENT REQUEST FORM

Temporary sign lighting color requests are accepted through the submission of the completed application form below.

Due to the volume of requests, conflicting date requests, and pre-scheduled dates, the Commission cannot accommodate all requests.

Note: The request form must be received 30 days prior to the temporary lighting date being requested.

* denotes a required field.

     ANNUAL LIGHTING DISPLAYS
    The following holidays and special occasions are routinely observed
    with color lighting displays. Actual dates vary annually and additional
    shows are added throughout the year.

    HOLIDAYS/SPECIAL EVENTS

    New Year’s Day Flag Day Election Day
    Valentine’s Day Stonewall (Pride) Day Veterans Day
    President’s Day Juneteenth Thanksgiving
    St. Patrick’s Day Independence Day Hanukkah
    Passover Labor Day Christmas
    Easter Patriot’s Day Kwanzaa
    Cinco de Mayo Columbus Day New Year’s Eve
    Memorial Day Halloween
    OTHER OCCASIONS
    Mardi Gras Mental Health Awareness Ovarian/PCOS Awareness
    Rare Disease Day Nurses Week International Recovery Day
    Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Lung Cancer Awareness Metastatic/Breast Cancer Awareness
    Kidney Disease Awareness Local High School Graduations Pregnancy and Infant Loss
    World Parkinson’s Day Fragile X Awareness Alzheimer’s Awareness
    National Donate Life Day Purple Heart Day Prostate Cancer Awareness
    Autism Awareness Pediatric Cancer Awareness Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
    Infertility Awareness Prenatal Alcohol Syndrome

    ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING SYSTEM INFORMATION

    MAJOR COMPONENTS

    • 36,370 linear feet of DMX cable
    • 82,000 linear feet of electrical wiring (roadway and architectural)
    • 17,300 linear feet of conduit
    • 1,800 architectural lights
    • Plus drivers, controllers, junction boxes, networked computer system

    • This information field is under construction.

    LED SYSTEM’S ATTRIBUTES

    • High-energy efficiency – low operating costs
    • Highlights the bridge’s unique architectural profile
    • Durable – individual lights can last for 35,000 to 50,000 hours
    • Environmentally friendly – other bulbs have mercury or other harmful materials
    • Provides uniform light
    • Brightness and colors can be altered
    • An attraction that can draw visitors to hotels, restaurants and other area businesses