LED lights to go up along Third Avenue

With the goal of becoming more energy efficient, the Haines Borough Assembly recently contracted with Alaska Power and Telephone to install 16 new LED lights along Third Avenue.

The current, high-pressure sodium lights will be replaced by the LED lights, which are both brighter and more efficient, AP&T power supervisor Danny Gonce said.

The total project will cost about $12,250. Though the LED lights cost four to five times as much per fixture as the current lights, Gonce said they use about half the power so the borough can expect savings to lead to payback within three to five years.

Borough manager Mark Earnest said the project “will work toward reducing the long-term maintenance and operating costs of the borough. And that’s a very important consideration as we look to the future and a possible reduction, or likely reduction, of the very important federal (funds).”

All of the lights running from the alley behind Haines Assisted Living to the exit intersection of Deishu Drive will be replaced.

During the Oct. 23 assembly meeting, Borough Mayor Stephanie Scott explained why only 16 lights are being installed. “We cannot put LED street lights on state streets,” she said. “And (Third Avenue) is a well-traveled street so the community will have ample opportunity to assess the quality of the lights and help us decide if we want to expand the project.”

Gonce said LED lights cannot be installed on state streets – including Main Street – because they do not currently meet the state’s light-measurement standards. Gonce said there is a movement under way to revise the standards so LED lights can be used on state streets and highways.

Gonce said he will be ordering the lights this week and they should arrive within two to three weeks. Installation will hopefully occur by the end of November and should take one to two days, he said.

Fairbanks, Anchorage, Juneau, Valdez, Cordova, and Soldotna have all at least partially switched to LED lights. The resolution to contract with AP&T to install the lights passed unanimously at the Oct. 23 assembly meeting.