Tonight: New Lights to Shine in Downtown Madison

UPDATE: November 22, 2016

Written by: Ryan Duques, Economic Development Commission

For the first time in decades, new lighting will shine in Madison Center. The new lights, which were installed over the past year as part of the Madison Center Project will be powered on for the first time tonight. The old highway style lights were disconnected this morning and will be completely removed next spring. The final new goose neck style lamps were installed by Dave Nichols of Nichols Electric over the past few weeks.

The Madison Chamber of Commerce hung 20 holiday wreaths on the new light polls on Monday. This morning the wreaths, which were sponsored by local businesses, families and organizations were lit with energy efficient LED bulbs.

Phase one of the Madison Center Project, which started last fall is nearly complete. Included in the first phase was installing new sidewalks using clay brick pavers, reconstruction the center median from Wall Street and Samson Rock Drive west to the gas stations, relocation of utilities to behind the buildings and underground, new light poles and lighting, new trees and median plantings, irrigation, tree grates and bike racks.

First Selectman Tom Banisch and Town Engineer Mike Ott have planned to relocate utility hookups and remove the utility poles and overhead wires next spring.

PHOTO: Dave Nichols, on left, looks on as the old highway style lights over Madison’s center were disconnected this morning. New lights will illuminate downtown starting this evening.