Bridge lights may create night pollution

To the editor:

It has come to my attention that the new Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge at Cape Girardeau is to be lit by upward-pointing lights. I would like to speak out against this plan.

While I agree that the bridge will be quite a useful landmark, I must protest the idea of lighting the wire spans that hold the bridge in place. As coordinator of the Arkansas section of the International Dark-Sky Association, I understand the need for an intelligent lighting design. But any lighting needs to consider the environment. Lights that shoot up into the sky and miss their target can be the worst type of light pollution.

What are the energy ramifications of lights that do nothing except shine straight up? Is this a good use of taxpayer funds?

How does safety figure into all of this? Has anyone contacted the FAA to see if a beacon of light shining up into the air is a danger to air traffic?

I would also ask if this lighting will help people navigate the bridge in the evening hours. If the answer is no, then how about using fiber optics to light the wire spans on the bridge? This type of lighting does not pollute the night sky. Also consider placing lights on the top of the bridge that will shine down. This will still reach the intended goal of making the bridge a beacon while protecting the night sky and the rights of local astronomers.

PATRICK CARR

Siloam Springs, Ark.