Decorative lighting may soon return to Emerson Bridge

It may be early December before the decorative lights are turned on again on the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, a transformer was blown in October, turning out the lights. MoDOT says it does not yet know why the transformer blew, but the contractor said the new transformer is in and work is expected to be finished on it this week. Utility work still has to be done sometime next week, when the lights are expected to return.

The bridge has been plagued with lighting problems almost since the lights first were turned on Feb. 21. Problems with moisture caused them to be turned off March 11, and they remained off until a component on the light fixtures was replaced. The lights came back on May 7.