VINCENT THOMAS BRIDGE LIGHTS TO GO DARK IN SUPPORT OF EARTH HOUR ON SATURDAY NIGHT, MARCH 19

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — March 17, 2016 — The blue lights on the iconic Vincent Thomas Bridge, which spans 2.2 miles and 365 feet in height, will go dark for one hour on Saturday, March 19 in support of Earth Hour. The lamps on the bridge will be switched off from 8:30-9:30 p.m.
 
Long Beach Assemblyman Patrick O’Donnell, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 7 and the Port of Los Angeles coordinated the efforts to include the Vincent Thomas Bridge in Saturday’s worldwide Earth Hour event.
 
“I am happy to bring environmental awareness to the region by having the iconic lights of the Vincent Thomas Bridge turned off in support of Earth Hour,” said Assemblymember O’Donnell.
 
The World Wildlife Fund, sponsor of Earth Hour, identified Los Angeles as a leader in environmental issues and chose it as a flagship location for Earth Hour. Earth Hour officials noted the event is a voluntary power down of non-essential lighting by participants. Lighting required for public safety will NOT be turned off.
 
“As our City landmarks go dark on Earth Hour, I urge all Angelenos to consider the striking impacts of climate change -- and find ways to make a difference,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “We are making  progress but we could do so much more. Walk or bike with your kids to school, take transit to work, save water at home, and let's make Los Angeles the most sustainable city on earth.”
 
In addition to the Vincent Thomas Bridge, more than 52 other city- and privately-owned structures covering 31.4 million square feet throughout Los Angeles are participating. The high-profile LAX gateway pylons that illuminate the entrance to Los Angeles International Airport will start green, and then go dark. The Building Owners Management Association (BOMA) of Los Angeles, whose members include Wells Fargo, AT&T, the Bloc, the Music Center, CitiGroup, Aon, and Bank of America Plaza, are also participating, in addition to the Getty Center and Broad Museum.
 
The Vincent Thomas Bridge, which opened in 1963, uses clusters of tiny light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to illuminate the bridge. There are 160 lamps, and each lamp has 360 LEDs. The low-wattage lights, which were first turned on in 2005, are powered by solar panels.