WASHINGTON, DC – The District of Columbia celebrates a significant milestone in its DC Smart Street Lighting Project, with nearly 40,000 streetlights upgraded to LED technology across all eight wards. This project is a key component of the District’s Smart Cities initiative, aimed at transforming over 75,000 streetlights citywide.
Mayor Muriel Bowser emphasized the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of this initiative, attributing its success to the Public-Private Partnership Act of 2014, which she introduced as a councilmember. This act fosters private investment in public works and sets a framework for such collaborations. The project, expected to conclude in May 2024, is noted as the District’s first and the nation’s largest public-private partnership (P3) in streetlighting.
Interim Director Sharon Kershbaum highlighted the technological advancements, including remote monitoring and quick response capabilities of the new LED streetlights. These improvements contribute to enhanced city services, ensuring better safety and efficiency.
The DC Smart Lighting Project promises several benefits:
- Improved directing of light onto roads, sidewalks, and trails, thus reducing light pollution.
- Enhanced safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, aligning with the District’s Vision Zero goals.
- A reduction in streetlight energy consumption by over 50%, aiding the District’s sustainability initiatives.
- Remote monitoring and control of streetlights, allowing for swift response to outages and customizable brightness settings.
In February 2022, the District awarded the P3 project to Plenary Infrastructure DC (PIDC) with a $309 million contract, partially financed through the DC Revenue Bond program. This funding includes a Private Activity Bonds allocation from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Mayor Bowser also updated on the federal funding acquired through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), with the District securing $132 million for various projects, including the South Capitol Street Trail and clean energy buses. This update was part of the infrastructure week celebrations in May 2022.