Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) will begin the process of replacing all public and private streetlights across Norwich on Monday, August 20. The contractor’s schedule indicates that the 4,984 new streetlights should be installed by the early weeks of October.

“This project will provide a number of benefits for our community in the years to come,” said John Bilda, General Manager of NPU. “Modernizing our streetlight network is the right thing to do in terms of public safety, financial responsibility and helping the environment.”

NPU is installing Light Emitting Diode (LED) streetlights, which are a significant upgrade from the traditional High Pressure Sodium (HSP) streetlights that are currently in place. The new lights will provide a number of benefits, including:

• Reduced energy consumption, which will result in energy savings for the City of Norwich;
• Reduced maintenance for NPU, as LED streetlights have a lifespan of up to ten years; and
• Better visible light for residents, increasing public safety in Norwich.

The LED streetlight conversion project has a budget of $1.8 million and will not impact NPU residential or commercial electric rates. Once all of the streetlights are installed and new streetlight rates are in place, a final savings for the city will be calculated. The preliminary cost savings for the City of Norwich are estimated to be at least $100,000 a year.

NPU’s contractor, Tanko Lighting and their subcontractor, Red Thread, will begin installing the new lights in the Northern sections of Norwich, including Plain Hill Road, White Plain Road, Lawlor Lane and in the Baltic section of the city. Tanko will mobilize up to seven crews per day to complete the installation, typically working between 7:00 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

NPU will provide regular updates on the status, progress and schedule for the installation during the weeks ahead via the NPU website and social media pages.

Tanko Lighting is a nationally recognized leader in the lighting industry and has completed a number of identical projects in Connecticut and the region, including Jewett City, Groton, East Lyme, and New London.

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