With 1,500 LED Lights, This Bridge Might Be The Best Light Display In Kentucky
By Sarah McCosham|Published December 10, 2022
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
The Big Four Bridge is a Kentucky icon; a proud and inextricable part of the Louisville skyline. The bridge crosses the Ohio River connecting Waterfront Park in Louisville to Jeffersonville, Indiana. It’s a mile long and stunningly beautiful, especially at night. The Big Four Bridge has an LED lighting system that wraps the iron fretwork in vibrant colors; the lights can be programmed in a variety of colors and effects, and the city often has the lights coinciding with special events or holidays. All December long, the Big Four Bridge will be aglow for the holidays; and with 1,500 LED lights, it might be the best light display in Kentucky.
Constructed in 1895 as a railroad bridge, the Big Four Bridge first provided rail access for freight and passengers traveling between Louisville and Southern Indiana. The bridge operated until 1969 when it was decommissioned, the ramps removed several years later.
In the 1990s, the bridge was reimagined as a pedestrian bridge complete with an LED lighting system, transforming it into a popular attraction and destination for Kentuckians.
The Big Four has since taken on the role of Louisville's front door; its colorful lights adorning the bridge much like a wreath does to a front door. It's Louisville's very own "Welcome Home" sign.
The LED lights change regularly depending on the season, holiday, or significant event, and while the colors vary, the message is always one of unity, hope, and unflagging pride.
Folks can enjoy the festive colors through December, but there's no need to mourn the end of the holiday season, as January will bring new opportunity and dazzling colors to the city of Louisville, Kentucky.