BETHESDA TV TOWER LIGHTS GOING HAYWIRE...AGAIN!

There you go again, Crown Castle. Their Bethesda broadcast tower on River Road has had ongoing issues with the harsh, white flashing lights somehow getting amped up to exceed light pollution standards. It has happened several times over the last few years, and twice in the last month.

The recent two incidents were short-lived, about 1-2 days. But now the lowest light on the tower (the one that seems to have the most issues) is at it again, appearing as an explosive firework that flashes brightly off of buildings located many blocks away from the tower site.

I hope that they will address the issue as soon as possible, as it greatly affects residents who have windows facing that way, as well as the intrusion of the firework-intensity light pollution on outdoor activities.

However, the constant problems - and having to write, and then call, if writing about it here doesn't work - are growing tiresome. I have heard from nearby residents who are tired of it, as well.

If this keeps up, a complaint will have to be filed with the FCC for violation of light pollution standards. Ultimately, the question continues to be, why can this tower not have the effective red lights that virtually every other TV tower in the DC area has at night? Red lights can't generate this kind of pollution, and would therefore solve the whole problem.

RIVER ROAD TV TOWER LIGHT GOING CRAZY AGAIN IN BETHESDA

I've heard from a number of residents who live near the old Channel 20 broadcast tower on River Road, regarding the third light going bonkers at night.

I'd actually already noticed it, but it doesn't seem like it's going to change unless somebody says something. It flashes off nearby structures, and the intensity is in violation of light pollution regulations.

This isn't the first time, and it was even worse last time.

On Monday, June 7, 2010, all three of the tower's warning lights were replaced with these new white flashing light assemblies. When night fell that evening, it was clear that workers had either left the lights on too high of a setting, or had failed to install shielding on them.

What transpired was a cross between a laser show and a fireworks display. That goes on all night. As obnoxious as it was in nearby neighborhoods, imagine being in one of the top floor apartments next to the tower.

Obviously, I heard from people at that time, too.

When it went on a second night, I wrote about it on my blog on Wednesday, June 9.

By nightfall, the lights had been toned down to their normal illumination.

I don't know if pointing it out publicly will bring it to their attention again. I think it could have been an honest mistake both times, because, obviously, the bulbs get changed in daylight, and the problem is only apparent at night.

But it is a problem, and I will start making some calls if it doesn't get fixed soon.

I actually like this tower, and grew up around it. As a child, before I knew the layout of all the surrounding neighborhoods, I used to use the tower as a North Star of sorts when out exploring.

The tower is 850' tall, and is owned by Crown Castle. It used to broadcast several TV station signals; the building at its base is the former home of WDCA Channel 20.

There is no broadcast television anymore. Hence, TV is no longer broadcast via this tower in the traditional sense.  It does broadcast radio (Hot 99.5, 94.7 Fresh FM), and cellphone signals.  There are satellite dishes around the base, and a variety of miscellaneous broadcast equipment around it.

Last year, quite extensive work was done on the tower, and a different antenna array was installed at its highest point.

I'll keep you updated on this story, of course, and keep those reader tips and gossip coming in!