A long-waited for lighting project at Bridgeport City Park is about to become reality. This past Wednesday, workers from Musco Lighting delivered a number of light poles and other items to begin the process of lighting athletic fields at the heavily used complex.

 

According to Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton, a total of seven light poles will be installed. Four poles will be utilized on the multi-purpose football field and the remainder on the softball complex.

 

The go-ahead to provide the funds that were necessary to complete the job was given earlier this year by Bridgeport City Council. The total cost of the project is $282,485. However, that total isn’t just for the new lights.

 

The majority of the costs are for the new lights. In fact, Burton said the lights will run $269,685. As part of the project, $12,800 will be spent to upgrade existing lights at the Little League baseball field and the main soccer field.

 

“The poles have been delivered and that went well. We’ll make where the poles go and then a company will come in and drill holes in the area where they will be placed,” said Burton. “From there, the poles will be hoisted into their foundation.”

 

It should be noted that the poles are not small in nature. Burton said the poles vary in size from between 70 feet and 80 feet.

 

The poles will also host differing numbers of light fixtures. The poles on the football field will feature 28 lights, while the poles for the softball field will feature 13 light fixtures.

 

F.K. Everest, the prime contractor on the project, will install the lights. The new lighting system from Musco Lighting is from a company P&R officials are familiar with. They are the same company that installed the lighting system at the Bridgeport Recreation Complex.

 

Preliminary work has begun and delivery is complete. Burton expects the project to be completed and the lights operational later this month. Weather will be a factor on when the work can be completed.