Ameresco Helps Lead New Streetlights for Chicago Smart Lighting Project

To help jump-start energy storage and renewable resource projects to modernize the state energy grid, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is offering project managers the chance to receive funding from a fund worth $15.5 million.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Chicago Infrastructure Trust (CIT) today announced the selection of the vendor team that will modernize Chicago’s streetlight system, replacing 85 percent of Chicago’s public lights with reliable and high-quality fixtures. Once approved by the City Council, installation of the new streetlight fixtures would begin this summer in south and west side communities. In total, the Chicago Smart Lighting Project will replace 270,000 of Chicago’s light fixtures and add a management system that will give the city a state-of-the-art smart lighting grid.

“This project is a win-win – it will deliver one of the largest lighting modernization programs in the country while addressing one of the top reasons residents call 311,” Mayor Emanuel said. “Under this proposed project we will be delivering modern, reliable and high-quality lighting that will improve quality of life in every Chicago neighborhood.”

The project is expected to be completed in four years and cost up to $160 million. The selected vendor team is led by Ameresco Inc., a national leader in the field of energy efficiency projects.

The proposed contract will be introduced to City Council tomorrow and installations are projected to begin this summer. For the first year, streetlight fixture replacement will be focused in those neighborhoods with heightened public safety concerns, primarily on the west and south sides. This allows communities in the greatest need to most quickly reap the benefits of clearer and more reliable lighting. In addition, to ensure neighborhoods throughout the City benefit from new lighting in the first year, new LED lights will be installed along approximately a dozen main arterial streets across the City.

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Source: http://www.naseo.org/news-article?NewsID=1096 (Opens in new window)