CITY NEWS
PHOENIX COMPLETES LED STREET LIGHT CONVERSION, ESTIMATING $3.5 MILLION IN ENERGY SAVINGS PER YEAR PHOENIX RESIDENTS ARE EXPERIENCING IMPROVED VISIBILITY ON CITY STREETS AFTER THE CONVERSION TO LED STREETLIGHTS. The city of Phoenix completed a citywide conversion of nearly 100,000 standard streetlights to energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) units. This conversion is one of the largest completed by any U.S. city.
“As the fifth largest city and fastest growing city in the nation, I want to make Phoenix a model of sustainability for communities across the country,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “These new LED streetlights not only bring us one step closer to that goal, they also provide tremendous annual cost-savings for residents.” The conversion was approved by Phoenix City Council after several years of testing and evaluation of various LED streetlights. Based upon community input and the evaluations, Phoenix adopted 2,700 kelvin as the standard kelvin level for Phoenix’s new LED streetlights, which is considered a warmer color temperature for LED lights. The new LED streetlights are anticipated to save the city approximately $3.5 million in annual energy costs. By switching to more energy efficient LED fixtures, the city reduced the amount of electricity needed to illuminate the streets by approximately 53 percent. This reduction prevents emissions of up to 18,000 metric tons of carbon
dioxide a year -- the equivalent of taking 3,800 cars off the road.
LED streetlights also have longer lifespans and produce better light quality than the previously used high pressure sodium streetlights. In addition to substantial energy savings, the LED fixtures will reduce maintenance expenses over their service life. Each of the nearly 100,000 new fixtures comes with a ten-year warranty. LED technology can also improve roadway visibility and safety due to the improved distribution of light compared to high pressure sodium streetlights. Improved visibility has been linked to a reduction in crime and increased pedestrian safety. The city encourages the public to report streetlight outages, repair requests and other concerns to phoenix.gov/atyourservice by clicking on the “Streetlight Repair Request” form or by calling the streetlight hotline at 602-495-5125. Learn more about the Street Transportation Department at phoenix.gov/streets and follow the department on Twitter @StreetsPHX.
CLOSURE OF TWO LOOP 101 RAMPS AT SEVENTH AVE. THROUGH MARCH SCHEDULED TO REOPEN IN MARCH AS PART OF FREEWAY WIDENING PROJECT TWO OF THE LOOP 101 (PIMA FREEWAY) RAMPS AT SEVENTH AVENUE IN PHOENIX ARE GOING TO BE CLOSED THROUGH MARCH TO ALLOW WORK TO ADVANCE ON THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION’S FREEWAY WIDENING PROJECT IN THE NORTH VALLEY. The westbound Loop 101 off-ramp and eastbound onramp at Seventh Avenue are scheduled to reopen in March. ADOT started the $185 million project to add lanes and make other improvements along 13 miles of Loop 101 between Interstate 17 and Pima Road. The entire project is scheduled for completion in early 2021. The westbound on-ramp and eastbound off-ramp at Seventh Street closed previously as part of the project. They also are scheduled to reopen in March. The ramp closures allow crews to widen bridges and reconstruct ramps between Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street to accommodate additional lanes.
Drivers on westbound Loop 101 can exit at Seventh Street and enter westbound Loop 101 at Seventh Avenue via the westbound frontage road (Beardsley Road), while eastbound Loop 101 drivers can exit at Seventh Avenue and enter at Seventh Street via the eastbound frontage road. MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THIS PROJECT INCLUDE: • Adding one general purpose lane in each direction between I-17 and Pima • Adding an auxiliary lane in each direction between Seventh Street and Cave Creek Road • Constructing a new overpass structure at the future Miller Road alignment • Modifying freeway ramps and frontage road connections at 11 interchanges Additional components include construction of noise or retaining walls where warranted, improvements to drainage and new rubberized asphalt resurfacing and pavement markings.
4 • February 2020 • DEER VALLEY TIMES
This project is utilizing the design-build (D/B) method of delivery to help reduce the overall project timeline. This delivery method differs from the more traditional design-bid-build approach in which the project is completed in two phases (designed and then constructed). The D/B method involves pairing civil engineering firms with construction contractors to create “design builders” who work synergistically from begin-
ning to end. This creates more opportunities for innovation and can reduce costs. The D/B method of delivery is most advantageous when transportation improvements are needed immediately to reduce high traffic volume or chronic congestion. For more information on the D/B method, go to azdot.gov/ node/7485. To learn more about these improvements, please visit azdot.gov/Loop101Improvements. deervalleytimes.com
