Detroit Adds 2,000 Midblock Street Lights in West Side Pilot
Mayor Mary Sheffield confirms installation is complete in three districts, with work scheduled to begin in the remaining four areas by mid-November.
By Riya Ross ·
Westmoreland Road on the west side of Detroit no longer fades into darkness after sunset. Mayor Mary Sheffield announced on Wednesday that the city has finished installing 2,000 new midblock street lights, a move intended to brighten hundreds of blocks across the municipality.
The new fixtures are part of a joint initiative between the mayor's office and the Detroit Public Lighting Authority. The plan calls for the placement of 3,000 additional midblock lights before the end of the year. Sheffield stated that installation is now complete in Districts 1, 3, and 6. Crews will begin work in Districts 2, 4, and 5, followed by District 7 in mid-November.
City Council President James Tate Jr. described the goal as allowing residents to see what is happening on their streets. He noted that for many people, that simple increase in visibility improves their daily quality of life.
The timing of the announcement coincides with the Halloween holiday, which falls three days from Wednesday. Local children in costume expressed enthusiasm for the brighter environment. One child told reporters they would have more fun trick-or-treating because the street lights would help them stay safe.
Residents also cited personal safety as a primary benefit. One local walker who traverses the neighborhood every morning at 7:00 a.m. said the new lighting has made them feel safer on Westmoreland Road.
Source: KCNC-TV
