New and improved street lighting is coming to Chilliwack.
The purchase of up to a million dollars in new LED light fixtures was approved by council Tuesday.
Chilliwack is following the lead of other major cities converting streetlights to LED, light-emitting diode technology, which is more energy efficient, with lower power and maintenance costs, creating lower greenhouse gas emissions.
“We are excited about this project to convert our streetlights to LED,” said Mayor Ken Popove.
The switch to LED lights could save City of Chilliwack an estimated $150,000 per year, according to city staff.
Crews install pipes for underground cables on First Avenue on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 in preparation for new LED street lighting. The section of First Avenue from Young Road to Nowell Street will have decorative LED lighting, while east of Nowell Street will be standard LED street lights. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Council approved the total replacement budget of $600,000 per year, for 2020 and 2021, to swap out the high-pressure sodium (HPS) streetlights with the new LED light fixtures.
“Converting the existing HPS lights to LED will save approximately 50 per cent on hydro, reduce light pollution, and the new lights will be adaptable for ‘Smart City’ features in the future,” the mayor added.
The plan will see 2,800 streetlight fixtures converted to LED in 2021.
Council also took into consideration the long-term reduction in maintenance costs that come with LED since they have a 20-year lifespan, four times that of the older lights. LEDs allow people to see clearer, further, and to distinguish colours better.
Chilliwack is getting access to competitive pricing through a provincial ‘corporate supply arrangement’ which allows local governments to purchase directly from the supplier. That affords the best value “without having to run a competitive procurement process,” according to the report.
Council was set to approve the purchase from the Provincial CSA of LED fixtures up to $1 million Tuesday at city hall.
READ MORE: Budget contained LED light plan
READ MORE: Light boxes use LED technology too
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: jfeinberg@theprogress.com
@CHWKjournoLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Want to support local journalism during the pandemic? Make a donation here.
Crews install pipes for underground cables on First Avenue on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 in preparation for new LED street lighting. The section of First Avenue from Young Road to Nowell Street will have decorative LED lighting, while east of Nowell Street will be standard LED street lights. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
