City of Fort Worth, TX

07/31/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/31/2024 04:21

Neighborhoods across the city to receive solar streetlights

Neighborhoods across the city to receive solar streetlights

Published on July 31, 2024

The City's Transportation & Public Works (TPW) Department received $12 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to replace poor-condition streetlights, poor-condition poles and poor-condition LED streetlights in City of Fort Worth neighborhoods. City asset information from the VueWorks database was used to rank and score all neighborhoods in 2020 based on a ranking scale to build the ARPA Street Light program. Neighborhood scoring categories considered included:

  • Existing lighting equipment type and age
  • Roadway type adjacent to lighting
  • Pedestrian generator location
  • Equity

There were 30 neighborhoods selected out of 345 City neighborhoods. These neighborhoods were selected and programmed by TPW based on neighborhood scoring and ranking. The program is designed with a planned value of $3 million per year expenditure for four years with a total budget of $12 million.

For Year 1 FY2023, these neighborhoods were selected: Ridgmar, Alamo Heights, Glen Crest, Carver Heights East and Historic Southside.

Year 2 FY2024, included these neighborhoods: Eastland, Glen Park, Morningside, Near East Side, Rosemont, Ryan Place and South Hills.

In 2023 and 2024, 448 streetlights were replaced, 42,565 linear feet of old/bad wire were removed, and 36,818 linear feet of new wire was installed for a total cost of $1,888,737. In late 2023, TPW initiated pilot projects using solar lighting as a new connected technology. This afforded an opportunity to implement solar lighting for Year 3 and Year 4 of the project neighborhoods rather than conventional streetlights.

For Year 3 FY2025, these neighborhoods were selected: Como, Highland Hills, Overton South, Polytechnic Heights, South Hemphill Heights, The New Mitchell Boulevard, Wedgewood East, Westcreek Central and Northbrook.

For Year 4 FY2026, these neighborhoods were selected: Brentwood-Oak Hills, Central Meadowbrook, Historic Carver Heights, Historic Stop Six, Oakridge Terrance, Parker Essex Boaz, Stop Six/Poly Oversight, Stop Six Sunrise Edition and Deer Creek.

Benefits of new solar lighting include use of a renewable energy source, reduced environmental impact, cost savings for no electricity usage, reliable operation during power outages, low maintenance requirements, and minimum equipment requirements. Solar conversions for projects in Year 3 FY2025 and Year 4 FY2026 neighborhoods will begin in fall 2024 after construction contract execution. The project will be complete by October 2026.

Council districts impacted: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Photo:The City initiated pilot projects using solar lighting as a new connected technology in late 2023.

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