So what ever came of the light issue on the bridge? Lift rug and sweep?
Are the lights working now?
Lift and sweep would be the most expected result.... Lightning is very tough thing to protect against - the typical MOV 'solution' used in people's power strips is very weak and if you do observe a very close lightning strike, the strip should be replaced to ensure some protection again. MOV's are expendable - meaning they get 'used up' upon repeated surge events. And how fast they wear out depends on the energy absorbed - same type device may protect for a couple years, or it may take one event. Can never tell.
A couple thousand dollar solution for those lights is gonna be MOV based. Will have finite life. Will require ongoing replacement program and plan. Proper grounding configuration with better protection devises will cost MUCH more than a couple grand.