With the 2012 Olympic games set to hit London later this year, the famous London Tower Bridge is getting an energy efficient makeover.

General Electric is outfitting the bridge with a series of decorative lighting options in order to draw even more attention to the legendary city icon. A series of tetra contour cables will serve as the artistic lighting, running the length of the bridge to accentuate its architectural highlights. The lights can even change to any of three different colors. According to GE, this cable consumes 40 percent less energy than the current set-up.

The streetlights on ground level are also being swapped out with LED and floodlights taking their place, for an estimated 45 percent reduction in energy use.

No word yet on when the lighting upgrades will be complete, but GE said that it will be ready "just in time" for the London Olympics, which kick off in July.

Image courtesy Martin Talbot