Albany, NY (WRGB) — More than $100 million was spent on specialty lighting intended to illuminate New York State bridges, but the lights were never used and have been sitting in storage for two years. The New York Power Authority purchased the lighting equipment and design plans under former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s initiative to enhance the aesthetics of the state’s bridges.
However, the lights remained in cardboard boxes inside a warehouse, costing taxpayers an additional $2.1 million in storage fees over seven years.
In late June, the state attempted to recoup some of the costs by auctioning off the lights.
Despite the initial $100 million investment, the auction yielded only $383,000. Taxpayers are left to bear the financial burden of the unused lighting project.