35W bridge's blue light special may be temporary

David Brewster, Star Tribune

The Interstate 35W bridge at night.

Star Tribune

Last update: November 25, 2008 - 10:49 PM

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Minnesota bridges rated: An interactive map of bridges that are "structurally deficient," "functionally obsolete" or have gusset plates like those on the I-35W bridge.

poll: I-35W bridge: Blue or white?

Should the default lighting for the Interstate 35W bridge be blue or white?

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The nighttime hue of the new Interstate 35W bridge is prompting onlookers to gasp and photographers to pull out their cameras.

"The blue looks just stunning," said Linda Koutsky, an artist and a graphic designer who lives and works near the bridge. "I think it's absolutely fantastic. I love it."

But the bridge is not blue on purpose.

It's sort of an interim color while the Minnesota Department of Transportation works out the kinks in the lighting system.

The goal is to have the bridge bathed in white light on most nights, with other color schemes for special occasions, said Jon Chiglo, who managed the construction project for MnDOT. It'll be spring before everything is properly adjusted, he said.

While they tinker, you can vote. To weigh in on whether the bridge's default lighting should be blue or white, take our online poll at http://www.startribune.com/polls/35091534.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUT.

JIM FOTI

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