Public voting for International Bridge 50th Anniversary lighting starts Oct. 3

Contact: Phil Becker, International Bridge Administration, 906-635-5255, ext. 112

Agency: Transportation

September 30, 2011 -- The Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge Authority Board of Directors and the International Bridge staff welcome the public to be a part of history by helping decide which lighting design will grace the bridge for its 50th anniversary.

Beginning at noon Monday, Oct. 3, visitors to the International Bridge Administration (IBA) Web site, www.michigan.gov/iba, will be able to view the three proposed lighting concepts and vote for their favorite design. Visitors to the site will be able to vote once per day, per computer.

The most popular lighting concept will be installed in early 2012 and lit on June 28 at the anniversary lighting celebration event, planned in conjunction with the annual bridge walk weekend.

Those who visit the Web site will see that each of the lighting concepts will follow the national flag colors, with the Canadian arch including red and white lights, and the U.S. arches including red, white, and blue lights. The lighting designs will incorporate industrial rope light strands that are secured to, and follow, the curved top and bottom profile on the east side of the arch spans. The number "50" will also be created with rope lights at the center of the U.S. arch profile and at the center of the Canadian arch profile.

"The Web site will show real-time voting tabulations," said IBA General Manager Phil Becker. "We encourage citizens from our local communities, our two great nations, and those from around the world to participate in this unique opportunity."

The 28-day voting period will commence at noon local time on Monday, Oct. 3, and end at noon Monday, Oct. 31, the 49th anniversary of when the bridge opened to traffic. Look for the official voting results on the IBA Web site soon after.

Other celebration events being planned will be announced as details are finalized.

Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge: Bridging Our Past, Connecting Our Future