Light Bulbs . . . Who's Responsible? PECO or the Township?

The other evening, I drove through the Chesterbrook community on Chesterbrook Boulevard to Duportail Road to Swedesford Road.  Between my house in the Great Valley and Gateway Shopping Center, I make this trip regularly.  I’ve never clocked the distance but it is less than 2 miles from Swedesford Road to Valley Forge Road going through Chesterbrook.

As I drove on Chesterbrook Blvd. there was this real ‘darkness’ along the road.  It was 9:30 PM and after narrowing missing someone walking on the road, it struck me -- ‘why’ it was so dark. Street lights – where were they and why weren’t they on?  From that point on Chesterbrook Blvd, I began counting light bulbs that were out . . . by the time I got to Duportail Road, I had counted 19 lights out!  Understand that this wasn’t an orchestrated, every other one light out, by design.  There were complete dark areas where no lights were on.  Chesterbrook Blvd. does not have sidewalks but has a bike path, which is why I saw several people out walking last evening.

I recall someone asked about the lights at a Board of Supervisors meeting and there was some discussion about PECO, calendars, schedules, etc.  As far as I am concerned, lighting (or lack of lighting) is a safety issue.  Is the lighting of township roads (replacing light bulbs) a responsibility of township staff?  Is it PECO?  Also, does the township pay a flat fee to PECO for lighting, regardless if the lights are working or not?

For the full story and to read the 20+ comments on this topic, click here.