Aging Infrastructure: Modernizing Streetlights to Improve Community Safety

Gary, Indiana, has faced many challenges over the decades, particularly in its neighborhoods. Deindustrialization in the latter half of the 20th century led to widespread job losses for city residents, triggering economic hardship and a shrinking tax base. White flight and suburban migration further contributed to declining property values and population loss, eventually deteriorating public infrastructure. As a result, Gary's neighborhoods have grappled with high unemployment, crime, and reduced services, creating a cycle of social and economic difficulties.

Community Problem

A symptom of Gary's struggles is evident in its street lighting. The city's system of high-pressure sodium (HPS) streetlights has not been updated in decades, creating a major point of concern for public safety. HPS lighting casts an orange-yellow glow that often produces uneven illumination and makes it difficult to distinguish colors or details at night. Some neighborhoods have damaged or nonfunctional streetlights, while in other neighborhoods, the street lights have simply failed to keep pace with the city's growth and infrastructure needs.

Research has shown that improving street lighting can enhance public safety, mitigate traffic incidents, and reduce crime. Upgrading to energy-efficient LED lighting has been linked to decreased nighttime vehicle crashes due to better visibility, as well as increased community activity after dark.

Gary recognized the need to address these lighting issues not only for the safety of its residents but also as part of a broader effort to revitalize neighborhoods and improve residents' quality of life.

Planning Solution

In January 2025, the city launched the Relight the City program, a comprehensive initiative designed to improve street lighting across all neighborhoods. The program was made possible by a $3.45 million allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Relight the City aims to replace or upgrade nearly 2,000 streetlights, focusing on areas where the lighting is most in need of improvement. The fixtures targeted for upgrades or full replacement were identified through a comprehensive audit conducted in the spring of 2024, which provided crucial data for determining the scope of the program.

The program will also replace decades-old HPS streetlights with new, energy-efficient LEDs, improving visibility and safety while reducing energy consumption and long-term operational costs. Additionally, a total of 150 pole replacements are underway, securing a modernized and more reliable infrastructure for residents.

The program was divided into two phases. The first phase focuses on busy thoroughfares, as their heavy traffic volume plays a critical role in connecting residents to key services, businesses, and public spaces. The second phase of the program runs concurrently with the first, prioritizing residential areas most affected by crime and social instability, ensuring that no residential area or major commercial zone in the city would be left in the dark.

Outcome

Relight the City is actively progressing. The replacement of damaged poles and outdated infrastructure has improved reliability, reduced maintenance demands, and lowered energy costs, providing both immediate and long-term benefits for the city. Strategically prioritizing high-traffic thoroughfares and neighborhoods signals to Gary's residents that their safety and well-being are paramount and that improvements should benefit the entire community equitably.

The program has also bolstered the city's broader revitalization efforts. Addressing a fundamental infrastructure need has reinforced Gary's ongoing efforts to attract new investments. The city was recently selected as home to a new multimillion-dollar convention center and hotel development. There is renewed hope that other areas, such as housing and commercial redevelopment, can benefit from similar revitalization strategies.

Considerations for Your Community

Gary's approach to streetlight modernization offers key lessons for other municipalities seeking to improve public safety and infrastructure:

• Comprehensive audits and data-driven planning are essential to identify priorities, allocate resources effectively, and maximize impact.
• Tapping federal funding sources will support infrastructure upgrades while minimizing the impact on local budgets, especially for municipalities with a lower tax base like Gary.
• Upgrading to LED lighting not only enhances visibility and safety but also reduces energy consumption and maintenance costs, creating sustainable benefits for communities over time.
• Phased implementation allows cities to target critical corridors and vulnerable neighborhoods first, ensuring equity in improvements.

Gary's efforts show the power of addressing aging infrastructure, promoting public safety, and supporting neighborhood revitalization equitably.

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