Bollard project transforms seawall pathway

The City of Galveston, Texas, is blessed with miles of stunning beachfront on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. Pedestrians and cyclists can access the area adjacent to the beach via a path along the seawall. In 2016, the City embarked on an ambitious Seawall Improvement project in collaboration with the US Army Corps of Engineers and the County of Galveston Engineering Office. Original enhancements included new bus stops, public washrooms, and a stretch of bollard lighting.

Most of the seawall pathway remained unlit. With the Gulf as a backdrop and limited light spread from the adjacent streetlights, it was dark and uninviting. So, the City has embarked on a multi-year initiative to change that. The project is primarily funded by revenue from seawall parking meters, with the ultimate goal of eventually illuminating the pathway from 6th Street to 61st Street.

Working with local contractor Crescent Electric, the City selected Cyclone's CBM2112C bollard. To date, 563 bollards have been installed, and the next phase, over two to three years, subject to budget, will see the addition of 800 to 1000 more over 44 blocks.

“One of the first things that drew us to this particular bollard is the design," said Charles Kenworthy, facilities director of the City of Galveston Facilities Department. "They look like little lighthouses, so they really fit the beach setting."

Beyond aesthetics, Cyclone’s proprietary light engine provided an efficient low energy solution. A 3000K color temperature was selected because, while inviting for pedestrians, it is also more bird-friendly. A frosted lens softens the overall light distribution along the pathway.

The facilities team chose the clamshell base option, which provides easy access to the installation bolts should a bollard ever need to be changed.

A timer controls the on/off schedule rather than a photocell, and this was intentional. Kenworthy explains that the east side of the seawall is often darker than the west section, which means those lights would come on earlier with a photocell. And when some bollards are illuminated and others are not, the residents do notice! So, a timer ensures all luminaires are lit and unlit within a few seconds of each other each day.

Durability was an essential consideration for the project. The bollards are enhanced with a marine coating to withstand the harsh, salty environment along the coast. Kenworthy also notes that the bollard frames are stout and resistant to impact, standing up to errant bicycles, surreys, and scooters that occasionally come into contact with the luminaires.

“We’re really pleased with how the bollards enhance the overall seawall at night, and the residents love them," Kenworthy said. "In fact, we've had many requests to add these luminaires in other areas of the city!"

Perhaps the most convincing test so far was Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. The City was hammered with 85 mph sustained hurricane force winds and intense rain.

“The Cyclone bollards held up well,” said Kenworthy. “When the power was restored, every single luminaire came back on!”

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Project name: City of Galveston Seawall

Client name: US Army Corps of Engineers and County of Galveston Engineering Office

Location: Galveston, Texas, USA

Project completion: Ongoing

Contractor: Crescent Electric

Product: CBM2112C bollard

Photographer: Brian Vogel