Optically-controlled, blue LED fixtures now bejewel the mile-long Vincent Thomas Bridge, connecting the main channel of the Los Angeles Harbor, amidst the amber glow of the shipping terminals. The result is aesthetically-charged yet environmentally-friendly.

While the design is simple, the road was challenging. The VT Bridge Lighting Committee initially selected an artist-directed design which was criticized at a coastal commission hearing for creating light pollution and disorientation of migratory birds. Coupled with energy shortages and maintenance requirements, the design was driven towards LEDs for reduced energy and a n over 50-year life cycle. Consequently the cost increased, causing Caltrans and the City of Los Angeles to extend the construction schedule while procuring additional funding through grants and community donations.