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1. What does LED stand for?

LED stands for light emitting diode. LED lighting products produce light up to 90% more efficiently than incandescent light bulbs. How do they work? An electrical current passes through a microchip, which illuminates the tiny light sources we call LEDs and the result is visible light.

2. Where can I see an Interactive map of the progress?

An interactive map of the progress may be reached at the following link:

Interactive Map

3. Why is the City undertaking this city-wide streetlight conversion project?

The City of Bartlett is undertaking this project in order to bring forth significant aesthetic and public safety improvements while delivering annual financial savings via our streetlight-related expenses.

4. Was a feasibility study conducted to confirm the benefits?

On February 22, 2022, Path Company provided the results of their Feasibility Study to the Board of Mayor and Alderman. That presentation is included in the provided link for review.

LED Prelim Presentation to Board

5. How will the streetlight conversion project be funded?

The total cost of the streetlight conversion project is funded from City of Bartlett reserve funds in the General Fund and the Debt Service Fund.  Sufficient funds are included in the Bartlett Capital Improvement Project fund for FY2024 to complete this project.  The City did not incur any debt for this LED streetlight conversion project.

6. What is the $5.00 monthly Streetlight Fee, and how does it relate to the Streetlight Conversion Project?

The City of Bartlett pays MLGW a monthly electric fee for streetlights, and the city-wide streetlight conversion project will significantly reduce that monthly cost. This recurring bill is paid from the City’s Street Aid Fund, which is supported by Gas Tax earnings received from the State of Tennessee. The $5.00 per month fee will cover the reduced MLGW electric cost for Bartlett streetlights and allow the Gas Tax revenue to be applied directly to city-wide paving projects annually. In previous years, the City has issued long-term bonds or notes for these paving projects. Therefore, the $5.00 monthly fee will cover the reduced cost associated with streetlights, remove the City’s dependency on bonds or notes for paving projects, and subsequently eliminate interest costs to the City.

7. How many lights are currently being converted via the City of Bartlett’s Streetlight Conversion project?

The project consists of the conversion of 8,433 lights currently contained inside of the City’s Streetlight Plant Account at MLGW.  This account includes all public streetlights lining the roadways as well as some additional park lights found at various City-owned parks.

8. What factors were considered when selecting the new fixtures that are being installed?

The City has worked diligently with our project partners Path Company and MLGW to determine the best fixture selections for our City.  Decisions were made after considering a number of variables including but not limited to:  Road Classification, Presence of Pedestrian Activity, Pole/Fixture Height, Pole/Fixture Offset from the Roadway, Mast Arm Length, Color Temperature, Light Trespass, and Light Levels at the Roadway Surface.

9. What color will the new light be? Is the light going to appear blue?

Color Temperature is the lighting industry’s method of measuring how “hot” or “cold” the light appears to the human eye.  This measurement is conducted via a numeric scale known as the Kelvin scale.  Warmer color temperatures are generally considered to be 3000K and below whereas cooler temperatures are considered to be 4000K and above.  Unlike the early rollout of LED technology where light often appeared blue, new technology allows for LEDs to output a range of color temperatures more appealing to the human eye.  The fixtures that are being installed will have a color temperature of 3000K – widely considered to be the ideal color temperature for municipal roadway lighting.  

10. When will my light be converted?

Crews will begin installations on Monday, October 16^th with the project currently scheduled to be completed before the end of the year.  Installations will begin on the northern side of the City and will progress north-to-south.  Residents are encouraged to utilize the City of Bartlett’s Streetlight Installation Map (insert link) to monitor the progress of the project.

11. What is happening to the existing streetlight fixtures?

In partnership with the Binghampton Development Corporation (BDC), Path Company LLC is recycling the City of Bartlett's old streetlight fixtures. For more information about the eco-friendly light disposal solution, please check out the provided link. 

Streetlight Recycling

12. What if I have additional questions?

Residents are encouraged to contact the City at 901-385-5570 with any additional questions about the project.