Watch CBS News

10,000 New LED Street Lights Installed In Detroit

DETROIT (AP) - The 10,000th new LED street light has been installed in Detroit as part of a project to illuminate the city.

Public Lighting Authority Executive Director Odis Jones says the city is more than 1,000 lights ahead of its original installation schedule. More than 800 lights were installed last week - above the target number of 500.

About 65,000 new LED streetlights are expected to go up before the end of 2016. The original plan was for 50,000 new lights.

The new lights are twice as bright and use much less electricity than the 75 watt high pressure sodium lights previously.

Jones also says the authority closed on $185 million in bonds to pay for the work. The Michigan Finance Authority sold them on behalf of Detroit's lighting authority.

© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.