Work has begun on the Hannibal Board of Public Works’ (HBPW) latest lighting upgrade project, along a section of U.S. 61. The upgrade of the current lighting system to LED lighting is not only going to save energy but also enhance the look of the highway. World over replacements of the traditional lighting with LED lighting have started focused on saving energy and cutting costs. The new light-emitting diode (LED) lights will be installed along the highway from West Ely Road/Pleasant Street to Highway MM/ James Road.
“The underground boring contractor (Bill Sullivan) arrived last week and worked a couple of days,” said Heath Hall, director of operations for the HBPW, referring to the week of Dec. 18. “The lighting should look a lot like the northern end of Highway 61,” said Hall.
In August Jared Stewart, HBPW electric line superintendent, told HBPW Board members that the lighting work should take place before MoDOT’s planned improvement project along the U.S. 61/McMaster’s Avenue corridor. That MoDOT work is supposed to begin in the late spring of 2018.
Last week, Hall said the HBPW hopes to have its lighting work completed “sometime before June 30th.” In January of 2017, the HBPW began installing LED lighting along Harrison Hill/Palmyra Road from U.S. 36 to U.S. 61. LED lights will emit more light, but use less power. You will definitely notice the difference between the new and old,” he said. “Also LED bulbs have a much longer service life than the existing high pressure sodium bulbs, meaning they will require less maintenance.”
