New street lights too bright for some in North Providence

By: Chloe Leshner

cleshner@abc6.com

@ChloeLeshner

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — New street lights are going up in North Providence but some residents say they’re way too bright. More complaints are almost certain because the town is only halfway done with the replacement project. But at this point, officials are asking for people to give them a chance.

Officials say they were expecting these types of complaints to roll in. On the plus side. the new lights use less energy, save money and help with public safety.

Out with the old and in with the new as LED street lights go up around North Providence.

"We have 3,980 lights in the town," says Ralph Nahigian, the Director of Communications and Technology for the town.

At this point, they’re halfway through the project and so far, the change over has been a real eye opener for some.

"It was kind of like a spotlight more or less than a street light," says Edward Conroy.

Conroy says the general consensus on his street is that the lights give off a different feel.

"It was a little shocking, maybe not shocking but surprising at first because it threw a whole different kind of light. We almost thought they were too bright," he says.

It is a different kind of light but it’s not necessarily brighter.

"The lights are actually half the power except the type of light and the prism that it uses gives off that much whiter light, which is cleaner," says Nahigian.

They also have a flatter back which allows more light to hit the ground.

The town is asking residents to have some patience because once all of the lights are in they’ll be able to dim them along with other features that can  improve public safety.

"If we’re trying to find a house and we know there’s a street light in front of it and we’re trying to get emergency vehicles there, the dispatcher can actually flash that street light in front of the house," says Nahigian.

Conroy tells us he’s willing to give them a chance.

"As time goes on you get adjusted to it," he says.

We’re told the new lights will save so much money in energy costs that the $1 million project pays for itself.

The Mayor of North Providence is encouraging people who think the lights are too bright to give his office a call so that they can work on accommodating them.

(C) WLNE/ABC 6 2018