Kalispell investing in new LED street lights

Kalispell is embarking on an effort to replace all 454 street lights in the city with newer LED bulbs in a bid to cut down on energy costs and become more efficient.

The first phase of the project will comprise 81 of the highest priority 400-watt high-pressure luminaire bulbs. Those bulbs have already been ordered and will be installed this summer in street lights on Meridian Road and Old Reserve Drive.

Public Works Director Susie Turner said those bulbs will have the largest impact on the city’s energy use.

“That’s going to be a high cost savings for us, because they are 400-watt,” Turner said.

Replacing those 81 bulbs is projected by the city to save $3,760 each year. Savings for replacing every street-light bulb are projected to be $11,312 each year once completed.

Phase 1 will cost approximately $20,000, which is already allocated in this year’s budget. The total project is projected to cost around $60,000. The city is also getting a rebate from Flathead Electric Cooperative for doing the work. Turner said the city will eventually be refunded more than half of the cost of the work from the power company.

The remainder of the 373 bulbs will be replaced over the next several years. Turner said city staff has all the skills they need to replace the bulbs, and while an individual bulb isn’t difficult to replace, the work is time-consuming.

Some of the decorative street lights downtown have different fixtures than others along the highway or in residential areas, and some are attached to old power poles. Eventually, they will all be replaced, Turner said.

Turner said the LED lights would produce a cleaner light for residents and that they also have a longer lifespan than the traditional lights.

The project is projected to be completed by 2023.

Reporter Peregrine Frissell can be reached at (406) 758-4438 or pfrissell@dailyinterlake.com.