THE HISTORY OF THE TEXAS STREET BRIDGE
"Originally constructed in 1934, the cantilever-through-truss bridge underwent major rehabilitation fifty years later. Rockne Krebs, notable pioneer light artist and sculptor, came up with the bright idea of creating a laser sculpture of brilliant neon lights and fiber-optics cables that at night transform a functional bridge into a majestic work of public art. Boasting more than seven thousand feet of neon, the Texas Street Bridge Lighting Project is the largest neon sculpture in the United States.
The Red River, known for changing course and forming new channels, is an important area waterway that begins in eastern New Mexico and winds its way through Louisiana, picking up iron oxide-rich alluvial soil (giving the river its reddish appearance and name) before finally emptying into the mighty Mississippi River."
Stuart, Bonnye E. Louisiana Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff, 2012.
1993 Neon Bridge Design by Rockne Krebs
Photo by Neil Johnson
Installation of the Bakowski Bridge of Lights on the Texas Street Bridge
The installation of programmable LED lights on the Long-Allen Bridge, known as the Texas Street Bridge in Shreveport-Bossier City began on September 1st, 2021.
“This signals a bright new day for Shreveport-Bossier and upon completion, people will be able to watch light shows that will debut each month,” said Mayor Adrian Perkins. “There were many steps involved in making this vision a reality and I’m grateful to all of our partners who worked so hard on this endeavor.”
The project to relight the bridge with programmable LED lights was inspired by Dr. George and Sandra Bakowski who donated $1 million to purchase the lights. With Feazel Electrical Contractors installing the lights onto the bridge.
“This community has generously supported my optometry practice and Vision One,” said Dr. Bakowski. “My wife, Sandra, and I want to demonstrate our gratitude to the people of Shreveport-Bossier by improving upon the former neon lights that united our communities and replacing them with low-maintenance, programmable, bright LED Lights that will create a legacy of dynamic positivity to our region.”
Dr. Shawn Wilson, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, and David North, District Engineer started the process in 2019 of repairing and painting the Texas Street Bridge ahead of the light installation.
“The Red River Waterway Commission is pleased to be a part of the Texas Street Bridge Lighting Project,” said Colin Brown, Executive Director. “We feel this project will greatly enhance the recreational and commercial aspects of the Red River and will assist in the continued growth of tourism in Shreveport-Bossier City.”
The Red River Waterway Commission and Louisiana Public Service Commission committed funding for the installation of LED lights and the purchase of LED road lighting.
“The Texas Street Bridge lighting project will provide a test of the energy efficiency and durability of LED technology,” said Foster Campbell, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner. “I grew up literally at the foot of this bridge, in old Bossier. Equipping it with modern LED lights will make it a showpiece for our two cities. I’m happy to be a small part of the effort.”
Other project donors are the Downtown Development Authority and Will Atkins who are supporting the programming and maintenance.
For more information about the Bakowski Bridge of Lights, please contact Rebecca Bonnevier, Executive Director of the Shreveport Regional Arts Council at rebecca@shrevearts.org.
