LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) took the first step in their Solar Lighting Pilot Project on Monday.
The project is funded by a $200,000 federal grant to help combat the frequent theft of copper wire from highway lights.
"We're hoping to deter theft while also restore lighting at these interchanges," said Morgan Woodrum with KYTC.
KYTC crews started installing the solar powered lights on Exit 3 of Interstate 64 which takes drivers to 22nd Street in the Portland neighborhood. It's a long loop that have multiple lights that KYTC said were gutted out for their copper wiring. They hope having a lighting system that won't rely on material that's easily accessible on the ground but is rather hoisted in the air will solve the problem.
"They are weather resistant and in addition to this pilot project the University of Louisville's Kluger Transportation Research Group is actually going to be conducting a research study on the effectiveness of solar power lighting on highway interstate systems," Woodrum said.
The cabinet said nearly 1,400 lights are currently inactive in Jefferson County and it has cost taxpayers nearly $1,000,000 in damages.
"Really we've noticed that the copper wire theft typically happens at interstate interchanges because [of] its location," Woodrum said. "It's easily more accessible by thieves as well as the copper's high resale value. So we really want to remind the public that the transportation cabinet is offering a $5,000 award for any information leading to an arrest for these crimes."
WHAS11 asked KYTC if there are future plans to change every light in the metro to avoid any more loss.
"We are of course looking at additional opportunities to install solar power lighting at more interchanges across the Louisville Metro area due to the copper wire theft," Woodrum said.
Exit 3 ramp on I-64 and 22nd Street will be closed 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, and drivers should anticipate closures on the I-264 exit ramps to Bank Street on Wednesday and Thursday. That's when crews will be up in the air to bring light back to some dark spots in the city.
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