INVESTIGATES: Acosta Bridge to be lit with rainbow colors for remainder of the week

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Transportation Authority, the Florida Department of Transportation and the governor’s office have all confirmed with Action News Jax that the rainbow lights will be back on tonight and for the remainder of the week in honor of Pride Month.

Last night, they were taken down; FDOT cited the complaints and the permit, saying the rainbow colors don’t comply.

Neighbors that Action News Jax spoke with say the decision to pull the lights was unacceptable.

“Of course put the colors back up, it makes no sense and it’s not right,” Matt Ricciardi said.

RELATED: UPDATE: Acosta Bridge rainbow colors to return tonight after being cut off by FDOT Tuesday

In an email received by Action News Jax, FDOT said to JTA, “We have received several complaints regarding the color scheme on the Acosta Bridge” and that JTA must follow the permitted colors allowed.

Action News Jax received a copy of that permit and it shows the approved colors. Based on the permit details, JTA would have operated out of compliance multiple times.

The Acosta Bridge has been lit several times in the past for autism awareness, gun violence awareness, Easter, Christmas and even draft day for Trevor Lawrence.

However, the colors were only pulled during Pride month.

JTA told Action News Jax they are not commenting on the situation any further.

When Action News Jax asked FDOT why specifically the permit was in effect this time, they said: “FDOT has not received requests regarding variances to the lighting colors or sequences on the Acosta Bridge.”

Ricciardi said the Acosta Bridge lights are unique to the city.

“Just little things like this are an added touch for night time when you’re going over the bridges and it looks great,” he said.

>>More Action News Jax Investigates Stories

Normally, JTA’s website has a list of upcoming dates the bridge will be lit and the reasons, but it has since been taken down.

We do know that June 18 would be lit for sickle cell awareness, June 19 would be red, black and green for Juneteenth, and July 4 would be red, white and blue.

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