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The "Walkway Over the Hudson" underwent a transformative lighting installation, thanks to the collaborative efforts of ETC and City Theatrical.The project, which integrates ETC's Mosaic controllers with City Theatrical's Multiverse® technology, enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the truss bridge and improved its functionality and safety.
The Walkway Over the Hudson, a historic railroad bridge turned pedestrian walkway, spans the Hudson River between Poughkeepsie and Highland, New York. This iconic structure, known for its breathtaking views and historical significance, has become a popular destination for both locals and tourists. “The Walkway has great views, but Friends of the Walkway, the non-profit organization that is custodian of the bridge, wanted to enhance the nighttime look of the bridge itself,” says Gary Dulanski, principal at The Dulanski Group, an ETC rep in Purchase, NY. The group also wanted to extend the evening use of the bridge and needed to add lighting for improved visibility and safety.
One challenge to this was the fact that the bridge is 6,768 feet (2,063 meters) long and only had minimal electrical power and electrical conduit running along it. “It was originally a railroad bridge – railroad bridges don’t need lights!” exclaims Dulanski. “The challenge was to create a lighting system that could be controlled remotely and adapt to various events and conditions without the need for adding long conduit runs and extensive wiring, which would be both costly and logistically challenging.”
City Theatrical's Multiverse technology played a crucial role in overcoming the logistical challenges of the installation. By using City Theatrical Vero Multiverse transceivers housed alongside ETC Mosaic controllers in custom-built, heated and cooled stainless-steel enclosures, communicating via long-range Yagi antennas, the team was able to transmit control signals wirelessly, ensuring that the lighting system could be managed efficiently without the need for expensive physical infrastructure.
ETC’s Mosaic controllers hold the lighting programs and schedules, making sure to delight viewers with static and dynamic color effects and special looks to commemorate holidays. These controllers are capable of managing complex lighting sequences and are programmed to respond to different triggers, such as time of day, date, it’s-gloomy-turn-the-lights-on-sooner daylight photosensor, and manual override input from the park administrator’s touch screen for special events.
The installation process involved placing Mosaic controllers at strategic points along the bridge, specifically at the belvederes—wider sections of the walkway that provide scenic viewpoints. Mosaic’s solid-state architecture made them good choice for the weather conditions on the bridge. Subject to intense heat during the summer then cold during winter – and adverse weather conditions as Mother Nature sees fit – the Mosaic’s toughness and reliability were key.
These controllers connect to RGBW LED fixtures , which offer a wide range of color options and can be individually controlled to create stunning visual effects. The fixtures are low-power, making them an energy-efficient choice for the project. City Theatrical’s Multiverse technology makes sure the right show commands always get delivered seamlessly across the bridge. David Singer of Lite-Trol did the start up and Sam Updike of At Full Lighting did the programming. The specifier for the project was Domingo Gonzalez Associates of NYC.
While the real star of the bridge may be its unparalleled views, ETC and City Theatrical were happy to expand the experience, enlivening the walkway with color and light.
