The City of Upper Arlington is making strides by enhancing the community’s lighting infrastructure with a commitment to sustainability and innovation. Electrical Division crews are currently replacing traditional streetlights with energy-efficient LED options.

The process involves several steps to ensure a seamless transition. First, crews remove the existing fixtures and transport them to the Public Service Center. There, the fixtures undergo thorough cleaning and have their lamp and ballast components removed. The new LED array, driver, and wiring are then installed. The refurbished fixture is then reinstalled at its former location, ready to illuminate the streets once again. Each new LED streetlight being installed includes a deflector plate inside the fixture which keeps the light shining towards the street and sidewalk below, and away from neighboring homes.

Crews have already completed the west side of Northwest Boulevard from Lane Avenue to North Star Road. Work will soon begin on Lane Avenue between Coventry Road and Riverside Drive, Yorkshire Road, and North Star Road between Northwest Boulevard and Barrington Road. Progress is steady, with crews completing approximately 10-20 fixtures per day, weather permitting.

The transition to LED streetlights offers numerous benefits to the community. LED lights are more energy-efficient, leading to cost savings for the city and reduced environmental impact. They also provide better visibility and a more uniform light distribution, enhancing safety for pedestrians and drivers alike.