CHARLOTTE, NC – Sections of Interstate 40 near U.S. 321 in Catawba County will soon be brighter, as work begins on a $30.8 million contract to upgrade more than 10,600 roadway light fixtures at more than 350 locations across North Carolina.
Crews will start installing the first LED roadway lights at the I-40 interchange with U.S. 321 in Hickory, starting Wednesday, Sept. 20. The interchange has 19 high mast structures with 152 LED fixtures. The work will continue east on I-40 through Oct. 15 with the installation of 176 LED fixtures on 23 high mast structures.
The agreement with Trane U.S. Inc. and J. Brady Contracting, Inc. includes improving lights for such local interstates as I-40, I-77, and I-85, along with I-277 and I-485 in Charlotte. Work in the Charlotte area is tentatively expected to start later this fall.
Improvements will come to other interstates such as I-95, I-440, I-540 and the Triangle Expressway in the Raleigh area, I-240 and I-26 in Asheville, and I-73/I-74 in the Triad.
Cost savings will come along with the improved lighting, as the project is expected to bring more than $56 million in reduced electrical and maintenance costs over the next 15 years. Savings will primarily come from changing out existing, high-intensity roadway lights for longer-lasting, lower-maintenance LED lights. The installation of a lighting and control system will support maintenance of the lights, measure energy usage and lower costs.
The project also includes upgrading more than 12,000 lights at county maintenance facilities, weigh stations, visitor centers and rest areas across the state.
