LED Residential Streetlight Conversion Underway
The City is beginning the second phase of a city-wide project to replace high-pressure sodium (HPS) streetlights with energy-efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting.
Beginning next week, crews are beginning a project to replace residential light posts in 10 Wilsonville neighborhoods: Ash Meadows, Brenchley Estates, Courtside Estates, Charbonneau, East Meadows, Foxchase, Montebello, Morey’s Landing, Park at Merryfield and Rivergreen.
The impact on residential neighborhoods is expected to be minimal, and to include a restriction on curbside parking only in active work areas. These areas are to be designated in advance with posted signage.
New Fixtures to Maintain Look & Feel
The majority of ornamental lights targeted for replacement are designed in three styles: Town & Country, Acorn, and Westbrooke. Expect replacement fixtures to be similar in style … with one notable exception: new Acorn and Town & County fixtures don’t include glass. This design ensures Dark Sky compliance.
The City anticipates that this phase of the LED replacement project will be complete by the end of September. Fixtures not replaced this year are to be replaced during the final phase of the project, when more funding becomes available.
The first phase of the project converted more than 900 LED lights along the city’s arterial streets.
“The LED fixtures have reduced costs associated with operations and maintenance by an average of 76%,” said Public Works Operations Manager Martin Montalvo. “At the same time, we’re consuming less energy, which is providing additional savings.”
Cost savings are just one of many benefits the City is realizing by converting to LED lighting. Others include:
- LED lights are safer: The new lighting provides additional visibility, brightening streets to make travel safer for drivers and pedestrians while deterring criminal activity.
- LED lights are more sustainable: LED lights typically consume about 50 percent less energy than HPS fixtures. They emit less carbon dioxide and contain no lead or mercury.
- LED lights require less maintenance: With four times the lifespan of HPS lamps, crews can spend less time changing out bulbs.
- LED lights are Dark Sky Compliant: Because new fixtures adhere to federal guidelines aimed at limiting light pollution, the conversion qualifies the City to receive rebates from Energy Trust of Oregon.
For more information, visit ci.wilsonville.or.us/LED.
