D.C. To Upgrade 75,000 Streetlights With LEDs

D.C. transportation officials announced that they’ve selected a contractor to conduct the city-wide lighting upgrade, at a cost of $309 million. The work is scheduled to begin this spring and be completed within two years.

Replacing the fixtures will cut streetlight energy use in half, according to the District Department of Transportation, preventing 38,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year — equivalent to not driving about 87 million miles.

The new lights will feature remote monitoring and control functionality: lights that are out can be identified in real time; poles will have tilt sensors, so the city can be alerted to any that are tipping over; and lights will be dimmable from afar.