SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — About 25,000 LED lights were turned on Tuesday night as part of a massive light sculpture on the western span of the Bay Bridge.

“The Bay Lights,” an $8 million privately funded project created by artist Leo Villareal, will wow visitors near the bridge for at least the next two years, the artist and other dignitaries said before the 9 p.m. lighting ceremony.

Mayor Ed Lee said an estimated 50 million people in San Francisco and the North and East Bay will eventually see the lights, which cannot be viewed from cars on the bridge but will glitter in abstract patterns for about seven hours each night.

People wishing to find out more about the project or to donate can visit http://www.thebaylights.org.

RAW VIDEO OF LIGHT DISPLAY: