The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Finance and Administration Cabinet have launched an initiative to replace thousands of roadway lighting fixtures across the state with energy-saving LED lights.

The upgrades, involving more than 18,000 lights statewide, will reduce energy consumption of roadway lighting systems by more than fifty percent and save more than $2.8 million a year in reduced utility and maintenance costs.

“Modernizing our roadway lights with more efficient and longer-lasting LEDs is a win-win strategy to stretch taxpayer dollars, improve roadway visibility and reduce the number of maintenance-related lane closures,” said Transportation Secretary Jim Gray.

The high-mast and cobra head lighting fixtures will be replaced with energy-efficient LED lights on select state-maintained roads across Kentucky. The improvements include underground lighting replacements in the Cochrane Tunnel in Jefferson County and the Cumberland Gap Tunnel in Bell County.

Approximately 1,500 lighting fixtures at state-owned maintenance garages and parking lots will also be replaced as part of the project. The work will also include the replacement of roadside controller boxes and cabinets and the relocation of crash-prone poles.

At this point, more than 1,500 new fixtures have been installed statewide. 1,376 of them are in Highway District 7, which includes Lexington and surrounding counties; with another 141 in Hart County, around Munfordville and Horse Cave, in Highway District 4.

“This joint project further supports the Finance Cabinet’s ongoing efforts to capture energy efficiencies in state-owned and operated facilities and equipment, while also reducing the frequency of ongoing upkeep and replacement of highway lighting,” said Finance Cabinet Secretary Holly M. Johnson.

The project will also include the replacement of roadside controller boxes and cabinets and the relocation of crash-prone poles.

KYTC and the Finance and Administration Cabinet have contracted with CMTA Energy Solutions to complete the project.

Work began in November and is expected to be complete by early 2022.