Murray Baker Bridge Ornamental Lighting 

Thank you for your interest in the Murray Baker Bridge Ornamental Lighting Program. Requests to change the system's light colors from dusk until dawn may be made by individuals or organizations in recognition of special events. The lights on the Murray Baker Bridge have been developed to set annual lighting plans and special request policies.

The City of Peoria is the designated technical operator for this program. The cities of Peoria, East Peoria, along with Peoria and Tazewell Counties, are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the bridge lights. For future funding purposes, 100% of the lighting revenue will go into a joint fund designated to cover costs related to maintenance, upkeep, and operations.

Questions

Questions regarding this program should be emailed to Public Works or call 309-494-8800.

How to Apply

To apply, applications can be submitted to Public Works.

Applications received by Accounts Receivable will be forwarded directly to the Public Works Department for approval. The Accounts Receivable department does not determine approvals for this program.

Upon approval, payment must be made five business days prior to the date requested.

Payments can be made or mailed to the City Treasurer's Office.

*Bridge lighting date requests are subject to pending submitted applications. Dates listed below are available dates to light the Murray Baker Bridge, pending submitted applications that are under review.

Holiday Schedule & Color Options

Murray Baker Set Holidays Schedule (PDF)

Bridge Lighting Policy & Application

Murray Baker Lights Application (PDF)

Bridge History

The Murray Baker Bridge has been an iconic landmark for our region since it opened to traffic on December 12, 1958. It is named after Murray M. Baker, a former Vice President with Caterpillar and without it, our region may have looked much different because the interstate helps drive our economy.

Decorative lights first twinkled on the Murray Baker Bridge on July 4, 1991. Much of the credit goes to Mr. Leonard Marshall, a banker, Jim Rochford, an attorney, and D. James Jumer, a business owner, who had big dreams of riverfront development. With the help of the community and the assistance of the Community Foundation, a $150,000 fundraising campaign commenced "selling" lights for $250 each. It is said to have been the first decoratively lit interstate bridge in the country. The lighting system consisted of 156 lights that outlined the bridge's peaks and valleys.

From 2012 to 2020, the lights went dark due to bulbs either breaking or burning out. A lot has changed in the technology of lights in that short time and we're working to ensure that this doesn't happen again.