CLARKSVILLE, IN (January 16, 2024) – The Town of Clarksville is shedding light on two new projects aimed at improving safety on area roadways and sidewalks.  Currently, the Town is working with Duke Energy on two separate lighting projects.  The first is a plan to replace the decorative streetlights throughout the Veterans Parkway area.  These are the lights which light the roadway and sidewalks, not the traffic signals.

This first project will include the replacement of streetlights on Veterans Parkway, Greentree Boulevard, Clevidence Boulevard, Progress Way, Sam Gwinn Drive, Broadway Street, Bass Pro Drive, and Woodstock Drive.  Public Works Director Brad Cummings says the existing streetlights have exceeded their life expectancy.

“Our current streetlights have lasted longer than expected, but the time has come for them to be replaced,” said Cummings.  “Production of replacement parts for these types of streetlights and poles halted production in 2022.”

Director Cummings says there are a total of 133 streetlights being replaced at a cost of $550,810.  That price includes removal of the existing poles and bases, installation of new ground wire, and installation of the new streetlights.  This project was approved back in December 2022, but the equipment is just now being delivered and installed.

The second project is the installation of new streetlights in residential areas throughout the community.  Cummings says Duke Energy maintains 585 streetlights in Clarksville.  In 2023, Town officials decided to opt-in to a Duke Energy program which includes the converting of current streetlights to LED lights.  The result will be new improved streetlights and savings for taxpayers.  The current streetlights cost taxpayers and the town nearly $11,000 per month.  That bill will fall to just under $4,000 with the installation of new LED streetlights, a savings of nearly $7,000 per month or $84,000 per year.

Work on this second project is expected to begin in the coming months.