Ahead of Schedule: Detroit Wrapping Up Installation of 40,000 LED Streetlights

In perhaps the brightest sign yet of recovery, the Detroit Public Lighting Authority has made incredible progress on a project to install 40,000 LED streetlights around the city's residential neighborhoods.

1 minute read

June 16, 2015, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"Detroit’s Public Lighting Authority is about six months ahead of its ambitious timetable to relight all neighborhoods by the end of the year," reports Christine Ferretti. "Officials say the installation of nearly 40,000 LED streetlights will be complete by the end of July."

The good news has benefits for the city beyond the new safety and comfort these lights bring to the city's neighborhoods. "The quick progress has enabled the authority to advance its schedule for beginning work on Detroit’s major thoroughfares — a task that had been slated for next year," according to the article.

"By the end of the year, the authority is aiming to have the city’s collector streets, which represent areas that funnel into its major roadways, done as well as some of the thoroughfares."

The article includes more details about the energy efficiency benefits of the LED lights as well as some data about the city's crime rates—some of which are currently down by a wide margin from this time last year.

Monday, June 15, 2015 in The Detroit News

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

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