KSLA News 12 Editorial: July 10, 2013-Texas Street Bridge - KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana News Weather & Sports

KSLA News 12 Editorial: July 10, 2013-Texas Street Bridge

The Texas Street Bridge that spans the Red River is one of those iconic images of Shreveport-Bossier.

This is what it should look like at night. Lit up by a remarkable light sculpture designed by Rockne Krebs. The bright red neon lights and fiber optic cables reflect off the water below. It really is a fantastic visual image, an image the Convention and Tourist Bureau brags about.

But this is the way it looks now. Most of the lights aren't working. It's a shadow of its former self. In fact, Shreveport Mayor Glover tweeted about the bridge on July 4th. From his vantage point on top of the El Gorado Casino he could see the sad state of the landmark.

Mayor Glover said restoring the lights should be a priority, saying the bridge "Has become a part of who we are as a city. Like public art is elsewhere, we must resolve to preserve and maintain," the Mayor also says "we should seek to update the technology, perhaps L.E.D. lights, to make it more durable and cost effective, but maintain the glow."

The Mayor is absolutely right. The Texas Street Bridge, when properly lit, is a great image for our area.

It needs to be fixed and maintained. Let me know what you think.

I'm James Smith.

Viewer feedback:

"Yes, the lights would be cool but who is going to pay for it? There area lot more things that Shreveport, Bossier, and Louisiana need other than cool looking lights on historic bridges. For starters how about reducing crime and improving economic development?"
~J. Kevin Clifford, Benton

"I'm  responding in reference to the Texas St Bridge and agree with Mayor Glover the lights should top priority now and also should be technology sense should be upgraded to Highest engineering intelligence the bridge pay for it's self by the attraction of the lights drawing tourists so he's right."
~PfunkyBass5

"the lights on the bridge make a larger impact than a dog park.  Please move forward with the lights!!"
~Anonymous