VIDALIA — The opening stages of the aesthetic lighting project on the U.S. 84 bridge across the Mississippi River have begun.

Currently, crews are putting in electrical conduit at the foot of the bridge in Vidalia, Mississippi Department of Transportation District Seven District Engineer Darrell Broome said.

“They are getting some controllers to go in, and then Vidalia is getting the (electrical) service in to that location,” Broome said.

The power supply will be coming to the aesthetic lighting system from the fenced-in area between the two bridges, Broome said.

Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland said the transformers would be placed under the bridge so they would be out of sight.

Once the crews get the supplies in, Broome said they could begin hanging conduit for the actual bridge work next week.

The projected completion date for the $3 million project is April 2010.

“If everything goes smoothly, we are supposed to get enough crews in to do it more quickly,” Broome said. “We are anticipating an early completion.”

When it is completed, the roadway and the structure of the bridge will be completely lit, making the structure visible at night.

The aesthetic lighting project is a joint effort between MDOT, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the City of Vidalia.

Vidalia will provide the electricity to light the bridge.

“It’s going to be a beautiful project for us,” Copeland said.