May 15, 2025 - Business
Scoop: New Orleans to let you pay to pick CCC light colors
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New Orleans is developing a program that would let people pay to choose the colors of the Crescent City Connection's lights.
Why it matters: You'll be able to go big for a special occasion.
The big picture: The mayor's office confirmed to Axios New Orleans that the city is creating a fee schedule for the bridge's new $21 million light system.
- They didn't say what the rates would start at or how the fees would be used, though. The mayor's office declined four additional requests for interviews.
- The light system, which DOTD finished installing last year, was transferred to the city ahead of Super Bowl LIX, the mayor's office said in a statement.
- The city is responsible for maintenance of the lights too, DOTD spokesman Daniel Gitlin tells Axios. It's unclear if it will be handled internally or put out to bid.
How it works: The lights on the CCC are programmable and dimmable. Each bridge can also be programmed separately, Gitlin says.
- The city ordered the system with several color schemes, he says, including Mardi Gras, rainbow, Saints, Pelicans, patriotic, LSU, Tulane, Black History Month, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween, Christmas and Hannukah.
- Any other color combination is possible too, he said. "There are no limitations."
Zoom out: It's common for global landmarks to light up for holidays and specific events.
- The Caesars Superdome does it in New Orleans.
- New York has the Empire State Building, while Spireworks app users control the lights on One World Trade Center and a handful of other spires.
- Chicago has a centralized program for its buildings along with a portal that explains the meaning of the colors.
