The ULA Group continues working
closely with the leading Melbournian architects and lighting companies to light
up the city\’s iconic structures. After their successful re-lighting of the
iconic Melbourne \’Red Sticks\’, ULA Group were invited to head up supply and
design another project managed by Transurban – illuminating the towers of Bolte
Bridge.
When the old lighting system of the
bridge had reached the end of its life, it was an opportunity to look at how to
enhance the lighting while also helping to meet Australian energy reduction
targets.
Working closely with Transurban\’s
engineers and after several site tests, the decision was made to replace 42
high-powered metal halide lights on the bridge towers with 36 Griven Powershine
D RGBW LED exterior wash luminiares. Seventeen fixtures were installed on newly
erected platforms at the base of each column using a combination of narrow and
medium optics to achieve even coverage and maximum light output.
Once the installation of the new
LED lighting system was complete, Transurban reported a reduction in energy
usage by incredible 89 percent – the power usage for the Bridge lights went
from 327,000kWh per year to 36,000kWh per year.
The components and replaced
fittings from the previous lighting system were recycled and re-used wherever
possible. The new Griven LED lighting fittings have an estimated operating life
of 50,000 hours, which is much longer then the previous system.
The new Griven Powershine LED wash
lights also create endless possibilities to achieve dynamic colors, which can
illuminate the Bolte\’s iconic towers in different hues, to support and involve
the bridge in special cultural and sporting events (with the consent of the State
and other authorities).
The new lighting system is all
controlled by Pharos LPC Control via LumenRadio\’s CRMX Outdoor Flex transmitter
and CRMX Outdoor receiver, which transmits the DMX signal from one tower to all
fixtures.
The new LED luminaries were strategically
installed and positioned at the base of each tower to minimize the risk of
glare to passing motorists and reduce \’light spill\’. The environmental benefits
and cost savings achieved in this project, stands as a great example of how to
replace \’out of date\’ lighting installations with new economic and sustainable
solutions. Over all the results are both aesthetically pleasing, energy
efficient and culturally sustainable, which assimilates perfectly into
Melbourne\’s progressive city environment.
The Bolte Bridge spans Melbourne\’s
Yarra River. Built in 1999, it was designed by architects Dentor Corker Marshal
and named after the former Premier of Victoria Sir Henry Bolte. It is one of
the largest balanced cantilever cast in situ box girder bridges in Australia
and forms part of the CityLink system of toll roads.
