Norwich – Residents can get a sneak preview of the new LED streetlights to be installed this summer throughout the city at four locations where the new lights were installed last week.

Norwich Public Utilities plans to install more than 5,000 LED streetlights this summer and started with 19 new lights at four demonstration locations last week.

The lights are in place downtown, on the block of Franklin, Bath, Chestnut and Willow streets, along West Main Street from Mount Pleasant to Beckwith streets, Cherry Hill Road and Sherwood Lane and in East Great Plain along County Fair Road, Nordon Avenue and Jordon Drive.

“As this important project moves forward, we want the public to get a sense of the improved lighting that will be provided by the new streetlights,” said John Bilda, General Manager of NPU. “Modernizing our streetlights is the right thing to do in terms of public safety, financial responsibility and helping the environment.”

Light Emitting Diode (LED) streetlights are a significant upgrade from traditional streetlights and are much more energy efficient. Once installed, the new lights are expected to save the city $100,000 per year in electricity costs. The bulbs last longer, reduce maintenance costs and improve visibility, NPU officials said.

The $1.8 million project will not impact NPU electric rates, NPU spokesman Chris Riley said.