They’re known as love locks. And they’re popping up on bridges everywhere.
“I think they’re really unique,” says Virginia resident, Molly Kelley.
But in Washington, they city’s Department of Transportation is less enchanted.
“We have to maintain the functionality of the bridges and don’t want to create a precedent that this is a practice that we will tolerate,” says Muhammed Khalid, Interim Chief Engineer at the DC Department of Transportation.
Transportation officials say the locks probably don’t threaten the structural adequacy of the bridges. But they’re not thrilled with how they look.
“It has an impact on the visual quality of the bridges. The aesthetic and architectural pieces is compromised by having these type of things on the bridge.”
The trend of Lovelocks as a symbol of commitment took off in Europe in the early 2000’s. It quickly caught on in New York City. And now it’s here in Washington. Some 45 padlocks adorn the city’s famous key bridges.
The people I spoke with seemed to like the idea.
“I think it’s really inspiring for people to put their thoughts and emotions out there on the line for everyone to know about them,” says Kelley.
“They don’t seem to be doing much harm right now, so until they become a nuisance, why not? Remarks James Chew, a Northern Virginia resident, who works in DC.
Just this year a section of the railing of the Pont Des Arts Bridge in Paris broke off under the weight of so many padlocks placed by lovers.
D.C. officials aren’t taking any chances.
“I am sure there is other means of showing your love,” says Khalid. “And maybe this is not the best way to do it because it’s not going to last too long with our bridges in the city.”
Come Monday, authorities will begin breaking apart these locks. No one knows what affect that might have on the bonds of love they symbolize.