Governor Ned Lamont announced Monday that the State of Connecticut will illuminate the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven – more commonly known among residents as the “Q Bridge” – in red lights beginning Monday night to honor the thousands of Connecticut health care workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bridge carries I-95 over the Quinnipiac River in New Haven under purview of the Dept of Transportation.
Normally, the bridge is illuminated in soft shades of blue or green. In keeping with the memorial designation of the bridge, it is illuminated red, white, and blue on special days of commemoration, such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, and September 11.
The special red lighting honoring the state’s health care workers will continue as long as the COVID-19 pandemic remains at significant levels.
“Our state’s health care workers have been thrown into this crisis and are literally working around the clock to protect our state from this pandemic,” Governor Lamont said. “This is a visible way for us to express our appreciation for their dedication during this national crisis, and a reminder to our residents about the sacrifices they are making on our behalf.”
Lamont said too often, doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and so many others are almost taken for granted.
“We want them to know that we understand and appreciate their commitment to the health and safety of our citizens.”
Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti described the bridges as “a signature structure on our coastline” and said it is traveled by more than 130,000 vehicles on a typical day.