Fact Check: New York taxpayers spent over 100 million on unused decorative bridge lights.

Fact Check: "New York taxpayers spent over 100 million on unused decorative bridge lights."

What We Know

In 2017, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) initiated a project known as the "Harbor of Lights," which aimed to install decorative LED lighting on several major bridges and tunnels in New York City. The project was part of former Governor Andrew Cuomo's broader infrastructure plan and was expected to enhance the aesthetic appeal of these structures. However, despite an expenditure of over $100 million on the lighting equipment, the installation never took place, and the lights remained in storage for nearly seven years (source-1, source-3).

The total cost of the project, including storage fees, reached approximately $108 million, with an additional $2.1 million spent on warehousing the unused lights (source-4). In June 2025, the NYPA auctioned off the unused lighting components, which only fetched about $383,000, resulting in a significant financial loss for taxpayers (source-6, source-7).

Analysis

The claim that New York taxpayers spent over $100 million on unused decorative bridge lights is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The NYPA confirmed that the total expenditure exceeded $100 million, which included both the purchase of the lighting equipment and the costs associated with storing it for several years (source-1, source-3). The auction results further illustrate the project's failure, as the state recovered only a fraction of the initial investment (source-4).

The sources used in this analysis are reliable, as they include reports from established news organizations and official statements from the NYPA. However, it is important to note that some of the reporting may carry a critical tone towards the Cuomo administration, reflecting broader political sentiments. Despite this, the factual basis regarding the financial details of the project remains consistent across multiple reports.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that New York taxpayers spent over $100 million on unused decorative bridge lights is accurate. The evidence clearly indicates that the NYPA invested more than $100 million in a lighting project that ultimately failed to materialize, with the lights remaining in storage for years and only a small fraction of the costs being recouped through an auction.

Fact Check: New York taxpayers spent over 100 million on unused decorative bridge lights.