The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 1 will shed new light across the region.

A project to install light-emitting diode (LED) luminaires along designated highways and interchanges will begin today, updating the system and significantly reducing energy use. 

“The changes will provide more effective lighting at a much lower cost to taxpayers,” said District 1 Deputy Director Chris Hughes.

“We anticipate a reduction of our electricity cost by as much as 50%. Also, crews will spend less time replacing fixtures because the LED luminaries last about four times longer,” he said.

Upgrades will occur on all four-lane routes in the district, Interstate 75, U.S. 23, U.S. 24, U.S. 30, State Route 15.

The district is replacing high-pressure sodium fixtures (HPS) with  solid-state LED luminaires. The light will appear whiter and brighter and will provide more uniform roadway lighting.

Additional savings will come about due to reductions in the number of fixtures. The district expects to reduce the number of luminaries by more than 50%. Because LED lights are brighter, the number of luminaries atop poles can be reduced, many by half.

The project also includes location adjustments, adding and removing fixtures to reflect the present traffic volumes and lighting warrants.

There are 12 unlit intersections that will have lighting added at the top of the ramps, three intersections where lighting will be removed, and seven where lighting will be reduced to illuminating only those places where drivers make key decisions such as turning or merging.

Lighting will be added to the top of ramps at the following locations:

 Allen County:
• Interstate 75 at Bluelick Road
• Interstate 75 at Napoleon Road
• U.S. 30 at State Route 115
• U.S. 30 at State Route 65

  Hancock County:
• Interstate 75 at State Route 235
• U.S. 30 and State Route 37
• State Route 15 at State Route 37
• State Route 15 and State Route 330