BYRON – It currently is dark when you try to venture over the Rock River in Byron on foot, but city officials are looking into changing that. Director of Public Works Aaron Vincer presented options for lighting the pedestrian walkway on the bridge Wednesday night, a project that has been a concern for residents due to the dark conditions. Vincer noted that installing proper lighting would cost around $100,000, while a more affordable solution using solar lights was also considered. However, as he explained that the bridge is owned by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and lighting could only be installed with their permission.
“We have reached out to them,” said Vincer. “They have given us permission to look into putting lights on the walking path only, but the light cannot spill over into the driving lane. So that’s the conditions that we’re working under.”
The Byron Community Services Committee decided to purchase a few small solar lights to test their effectiveness. Vincer pointed out that the bridge previously had lights, but they were frequently damaged by wide loads and eventually removed due to safety concerns. The city is now seeking a responsible way to install lighting while considering the cost and safety of the project.
