County hoping to light bridge

Charles Berry Bascule Bridge could receive lighting upgrades

The city of Lorain is reviewing plans to partner with Lorain County to shine more light on the International City in an estimated $350,000 project to add lighting to the Charles Berry Bascule Bridge.

On Oct. 27, Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley and Lorain Port and Finance Authority Executive Director Tom Brown addressed Lorain County commissioners about bringing back lighting to the bridge in support of events at Black River Landing and downtown Lorain.

Commissioner Lori Kokoski said Lorain County would like to contribute $150,000 toward the bridge project following the $25 million rehabilitation by the Ohio Department of Transportation.

“The bridge used to be lit, and we just had millions of dollars of work that ODOT put into the bridge for the mechanics. And now, we would eventually like to get the bridge lit up,” Ko

koski said. “And it would be a beautiful backdrop for Black River Landing when we’re having concerts down there.

“And I just think it would be really nice with the renaissance going on down in the city of Lorain.”

The county is hoping to work with the city and the Port Authority with the possibility of adding more partners.

Bradley said the city has been very happy with the conclusion of the bridge rehab and would like to see lighting added underneath the structure.

He said the lights could be an asset to the city in supporting concerts, and as an attraction to people who congregate to watch the freighters that come through the Lorain port.

Kokoksi said that LED lighting added to the bridge could be synchronized for holidays or different events lending to more character to Lorain’s downtown core.

The Lorain County share likely would be funded through Visit Lorain County, commissioners said.

Commissioner Sharon Sweda concurred and be

lieves some added interactive lighting on the bridge will be an asset to Lorain and the county bringing in traffic and revenue in support of Lorain businesses.

“It’s just one more scenic attraction we can complement the county with,” Sweda said.

With the county looking toward the light at the end of the tunnel in the novel coronavirus pandemic, Commissioner Matt Lundy said they wanted to get started on the planning process with the hope of the project being completed by 2022.

RICHARD PAYERCHIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL The Charles Berry Bascule Bridge sits over the Black River the night of Aug. 26 in Lorain. Local leaders said they support new aesthetic lights to illuminate the bridge at night, but installing new lights likely won’t be cheap or happen soon.