The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and the Finance and Administration Cabinet announced Monday that they have launched an initiative to replace thousands of light fixtures along the state’s roadways with energy saving LED lights.
The upgrades, the departments said, would reduce energy consumption by more than 50 percent and save more than $2.8 million each year in reduced utility and maintenance costs.
“Modernizing our roadway lights with more efficient and longer-lasting LEDs is a win-win strategy to stretch taxpayer dollars, improve roadway visibility and reduce the number of maintenance-related lane closures,” KYTC Secretary Jim Gray said.
The project will replace more than 18,000 high-mast and cobra head lighting fixtures with energy efficient LED lights on select state-maintained roads across the state, officials said. The improvements include underground lighting replacements in the Cochran Tunnel in Jefferson County and the Cumberland Gap Tunnel in Bell County. The project will also include replacing 1,500 lighting fixtures at state-owned maintenance garages and parking lots, and replacing roadside controller boxes and cabinets, as well as relocating poles that are prone to crashes.
“This joint project further supports the Finance Cabinet’s ongoing efforts to capture energy efficiencies in state-owned and operated facilities and equipment, while also reducing the frequency of ongoing upkeep and replacement of highway lighting,” said Finance Cabinet Secretary Holly M. Johnson.