The bridge has nine spans. The three over land on the Whanganui East end are less visible.
It will cost $9000 to light up each span, for fittings, controller and installation. All six above water could be lit, or every second span, or just the three central spans.
Mr Vinsen doesn't want the cost to fall on ratepayers. He is about to start applying for funding, and wants to get the bridge lit up within six months.
Once the LED lights are installed the electricity to run them will cost very little, he said.
What colours to use are another question.
"The controllers are versatile, and can be set to any sequence or colour. It would have been possible, for instance, to have had just red, white and blue spans to acknowledge the recent tragedy in Nice, France, or to have a single colour and change it periodically."
Lighting the bridge would help Whanganui's paddle steamer.
The PS Waimarie has had problems navigating around the pillars of the Railway and Dublin St bridges on night sailings. Mr Vinsen said council officers were looking for a solution and any lighting to the pillars could add to the effect.