LightRails: Dark Alabama Underpass Springs to Life With a Rainbow of LED Lights

Light artist <a href="http://billfitzgibbons.com" target="_blank">Bill Fitzgibbons</a> has transformed a dark and disused 1931 <a href="http://inhabitat.com/artists-create-chandeliers-out-of-bike-parts-under-a-freeway-overpass/" target="_blank">underpass</a> with a vibrant glowing LED art installation. Dubbed “LightRails,” the project casts thousands of colors underneath the historic 18th Street underpass in Birmingham, Alabama. The installation was created with <a href="http://www.revbirmingham.org/">REV Birmingham</a>, to bring the community together in a celebration of art and light.

The 18^th Street <a href="http://inhabitat.com/ballroom-luminoso-turns-a-freeway-underpass-into-a-beautifully-lit-space-for-gathering/" target="_blank">underpass</a> echoes Art Deco architecture, and passes through the popular Railroad Park in Birmingham.

It connects two major areas of the city, the Parks District and the city center. Fitzgibbons’ installation was meant to guide the way between the two areas, by welcoming visitors with public art.

The system is made up of 250 units, all linked to a computerized system that allows Fitzgibbons to program 16 million different colors and frequencies.

Specific programs can be scheduled for specific times, allowing Fitzgibbons to control the mood of the tunnel through sheer color, or movement. The undersides of the underpass are smooth and flat, making for the perfect projection surface.

Aside from creating a warm and glowing rainbow art installation, LightRails also serves a function- <a href="http://inhabitat.com/scottish-underpass-transformed-with-led-lighting-and-art-installation/" target="_blank">lighting up the dark shadows</a> of the covered walkway. The changing lights will encourage pedestrians and bicyclists to feel safe will traversing from one area of Birmingham to the next.

To kick off the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/inhabitando-artists-give-new-life-to-abandoned-home-with-glowing-installation/" target="_blank">light installation</a>, the city held a celebration that drew thousands of locals to the bridge. Fitzgibbons and the city hope that the project will invigorate the city and help to welcome visitors to new areas.

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