As darkness fell Wednesday evening, Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero led the countdown to “flip the switch” on streetlights in Emory Place, symbolizing the completion of the 27-month, $15.8 million capital project to retrofit city streetlights to LED technology.

Mayor Rogero and City Council members were joined at the ceremony by Sustainability Director Erin Gill, Brian McDonald of Acuity Brands (manufacturer of the LED lights) and KUB President Gabe Bolas. Mayor Rogero thanked the project’s multiple partners, which also include Siemens Mobility, Service One, Andrews Electric, Edwards Supply and Fulghum, MacIndoe & Associates.

 “I’m proud of this project and the lasting effects it will have on Knoxville and East Tennessee,” Mayor Rogero said. “Together, City Council, City departments, and our partners have demonstrated how a commitment to sustainability can achieve financial and environmental goals, create jobs and help make Knoxville a cleaner, greener place to live.”

The Mayor proposed funding the LED retrofit project in her 2017-2018 budget. After distributing a request for proposals, the City contracted with Siemens Mobility to perform turn-key design and installation services to convert approximately 28,500 streetlights from high pressure sodium (HPS) lights to modern light emitting diode (LED) technology. The design phase began in summer 2017, and installation began in September 2018.

The project helped the City exceed its goal to reduce municipal greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020.

Additionally, the City will save $2 million annually on its street light system. In 2017, the City spent more than $4 million to cover the energy, operations and maintenance costs of street lights.

“This investment has created significant savings for taxpayers while also helping our environment and increasing safety by improving visibility on our roads,” said Gill. “We’re grateful for the support and patience of residents and business owners during this process and appreciate the many partners who helped make the project possible.”

Siemens will address a few final to-do list items through November and remain a close partner to the City as they provide warranty services during the next two years.

Residents are encouraged to contact 3-1-1 by phone or online to report a streetlight that is damaged or not working. Anyone concerned about light trespass onto their home from the new lights can also contact 3-1-1 to request an evaluation for a light shield.

For additional information about the project, including service request forms, visit KnoxvilleTN.gov/LED.