Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced the start of the next phase of Chicago’s streetlight modernization program, which includes the installation of an additional 40,000 new LED streetlights in neighborhoods across the City. In this next phase, the Chicago Smart Lighting Program (CSLP) will install new LED lights on residential streets, alleys and viaducts in portions of the far South Side, Near West Side and North Side (see map). Installations in the current phase will be continuing through August when the City expects to reach the halfway point of the four-year project.

“This project has been a win-win for Chicagoans as it delivers one of the largest lighting modernization programs in the country and addresses one of the top reasons residents contact 311,” Mayor Emanuel said. “As we begin this next phase, the program will reach more neighborhoods and provide more residents with reliable and energy-efficient nighttime lighting.”

Last month, the Mayor was joined by ComEd in announcing that the City taxpayers will save an estimated $100 million over the next ten years thanks to the energy efficiency of the new lights, which consume 50-75 percent less electricity than outdated High Pressure Sodium street lights.  In addition, the modernization is earning the City rebates from ComEd for installing new energy efficient lights. The City has received more than $12 million in rebates to date, and expects to earn a total of $35 million in rebates over the four-year program.

The modernization is being implemented by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) in coordination with the Chicago Infrastructure Trust (CIT) and the Department of Innovation and Technology.

Chicagoans can track the installation of new street lights on an interactive map at the CSLP website: http://chicagosmartlighting.org . The map is updated weekly to show where installation is anticipated and already completed.

During the installation process, brief closures may be required on residential streets and alleys as crews move through each area. Parking restrictions, if needed, will be posted prior to installation.

“Spring and summer will be a busy time for the Chicago Smart Lighting Program as crews will be installing thousands of new LED lights in neighborhoods across the city,” CDOT Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld said. “We have been working diligently to keep the program on-track and are pleased that this new phase will allow even more Chicagoans to experience the clear, white light of the new LED streetlights.”

“The smart lighting project is a great example of how the CIT can partner with the City to innovate and drive community investments that provide a maximum return while improving the quality of life in Chicago’s neighborhoods,” CIT Executive Director Leslie Darling said. “We look forward to continuing this work in the years to come.”

The CSLP will replace 270,000, or 85 percent, of Chicago’s streetlights with high-quality LED fixtures. The program also includes creation of a citywide lighting management system for the new LED lights. When it becomes operational, the system will alert the City when lights need service. The public is advised to continue to contact 311 to report outages until the smart lighting system is operational.

The City has contracted with a team led by Ameresco Inc., a national leader in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, to implement the program. The City made it a priority to ensure that the selected vendor relies on a diverse lineup of subcontractors and that City residents will have access to the jobs created through the Chicago Smart Lighting Program.

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