NewÂer, whitÂer lights are one their way to Minnesota roads.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation anÂnounced a plan MonÂday to reÂplace more than 28,500 streetÂlight bulbs with LED lights.
Because they are more energy efficient and need replacing less often, the LEDs — short for light-emitÂting diÂodes — will supÂposÂedÂly save the state $1.45 milÂlion each year.
The new bulbs are exÂpectÂed to last about 18 years on avÂerÂage (vs. a four-year life span for the current ones), as well as proÂvide whitÂer light.
The white light tends to be prefÂerÂaÂble for drivÂers beÂcause it alÂlows peoÂple to see more deÂtail, said Sue Zarling, trafÂfic eÂlecÂtriÂcal sysÂtems enÂgiÂneer for MNDOT, addÂing that poÂlice tend to preÂfer white lights for simÂiÂlar reaÂsons.
Lights along roadÂways and bridgÂes, but not tunÂnels or rest areas, will be replaced, said Mike Gerbensky, Metro District sysÂtem lightÂing and management enÂgiÂneer.
Twin Cities resiÂdents can exÂpect the switch to be made by the end of the year, but reÂplaceÂment of about 10,000 fixÂtures across the state is expected to take until 2020.
Converting metro lights is exÂpectÂed to cost $10 million to $11 milÂlion, Gerbensky said, and is contracted to Egan Company, a BrookÂlyn Park-based conÂtracÂtor. The rest of the state will be served by MNDOT crews.
Bulb testing done by Minneapolis and Hennepin County in 2010 found that LED lights use about half the powÂer reÂquired to achieve simÂiÂlar light levÂels and give off less heat, but are more costÂly than the othÂer two bulbs testÂed. The LED bulbs outperÂformed othÂer comÂpetiÂtors in light disÂperÂsal and length of mainÂteÂnance needs.
Ben Farniok