ODOT To Replace 10,000 Street Lights In Portland

From ODOT: ODOT and Ameresco Inc. are partnering on a pilot project to replace more than 10,000 low-efficiency highway lights in the Portland metro area with lights that can improve safety and save money. ODOT has thousands of light fixtures installed on highways to ensure nighttime visibility and improve safety for the traveling public.

This project will assess the current state of the system and replace some of Region 1’s High Pressure Sodium (HPS) luminaires with light-emitting diode (LED) lights. LEDs have higher light quality, use less energy and have a longer lifespan, requiring less frequent replacement.

“We look forward to the partnership with energy services provider Ameresco to re-evaluate how best to light the highway system to improve safety, reduce energy costs and free up maintenance time for other projects,” said Michael Kimlinger, ODOT State Traffic-Roadway Engineer.

ODOT has contracted with Ameresco utilizing an Energy Savings Performance Contract.

“Through this contract structure, Ameresco looks forward to providing a guaranteed maximum price in addition to guaranteed savings,” said Joe O’Donnell, Ameresco Business Development Manager. “We are excited to bring the expertise we have gained not only from the many significant street light contracts we have completed in other states but the broad range of other complex energy services projects we’ve done. Our goal is to help ODOT save money and lower its carbon emissions as part of the state’s Climate Action Plan.”

The first phase of work that Ameresco will engage in is a Technical Energy Audit to assess the current condition of highway lighting in Region 1 and identify the scope, schedule and budget for the overall project.

Ameresco and ODOT will work together to determine location priorities and mitigate conflicts with other project activities in the area.

This pilot is designed to pay for itself over an agreed-upon period of time.

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