Bay Bridge to go Black Today

Bay Area to participate in Earth hour

The Bay Bridge is going black.

California Department of Transportation officials plan to turn off decorative lights on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge today in observance of international "Earth Hour," according to an announcement released by the department Wednesday.

Caltrans will turn off unnecessary bridge lights for an hour beginning at 8:30 p.m., leaving overhead lights lit for traffic safety.

It will be the third year Bay Bridge lights are dimmed in observance of the environmentally conscious tradition, which began in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and aims to promote energy conservation.

San Francisco will be one of several cities around the world to participate in Earth Hour, and the Bay Bridge will be one of several landmarks around the city to cut its lights, according to Caltrans.

Decorative lights on the Golden Gate Bridge will also be shut off, as will those on Alcatraz Island and at Ghiradelli Square, Coit Tower, San Francisco City Hall and AT&T Park.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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