Public Lighting Authority of Detroit finds nearly 45 percent of surveyed lights not working

DETROIT – The Public Lighting Authority (PLA) of Detroit said today a block-by-block review of street lights in two Detroit neighborhoods has identified nearly 45 percent of the street lights in those two areas of the city that are not working.

The survey was the first phase of two pilot projects that the authority launched as it begins its work to provide reliable street lights in the city.  A total of 4,939 lights were surveyed in the two areas, with 2,211, 44.8 percent, not working.

PLA Executive Director Odis Jones said information from the review will be used to design new street lighting for both areas.  He said construction and installation of the new lights will begin in early November.

“Before we could develop a plan to renovate the city’s street lights, it was critical that we have accurate, up-to-date information on the system as it exists today,” said Jones.  “Since the most current data was 15 years old, that made it necessary to go out and survey the condition of every single light.

“The survey has provided us with specific information about the condition of every single street light in both project areas.  This will enable us to design the best lighting plan for each area as we move forward to give the citizens of Detroit the lighting they deserve.  We are working in these two areas as a prelude to moving out into the rest of the city to completely restore street lighting over the next three years.”

Jones said the east side demonstration project, comprised of an area with boundaries of Eight Mile, Kelly Rd., Hoover and Houston Whittier, has a total of has a total of 3,194 lights, with 1,777 lights working and 1,417 not working, meaning 44.4 percent of its lights are out.

The west side demonstration project, with boundaries of McNichols on the north, Southfield Rd. on the east, Fenkell on the south and Telegraph on the west, with a small extension in the Five Points area of the city south of McNichols and west of Telegraph, has a total of 1,745 lights, with 951 lights working and 794 not working, meaning 45.5 percent of its lights are out.

About the Public Lighting Authority of Detroit

The PLA was authorized by the Michigan Legislature in December, 2012 and approved by Detroit City Council earlier this year to design and implement a three-year plan to improve Detroit’s public lighting system. The PLA is governed by a five-member board appointed by the Mayor and the City Council.