City awarded funds for new boardwalk LED lighting
New poles, LED lights to be installed entire length of boardwalk
The City has been awarded $926,070 from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority [NJEDA] for light fixtures to be installed on the boardwalk.
The funds will be used to replace the “cobra head” conventional highway style poles and light fixtures with new energy efficient LED lights throughout the entire length of the boardwalk, from Asbury Avenue to Deal Lake Drive, according to city documents.
Expansion of the lighting is expected to improve public safety and the aesthetic value of the boardwalk.
Over time, features including LED banners for notification and announcements, security cameras, emergency call buttons and color change lighting could be added, the document states.
Long-term maintenance costs will also be reduced through the use of Energy Star rated LED fixtures, which consume less electricity and last up to 10 years. The fixtures will be lower to the ground than the conventional cobra head lights, which will reduce light pollution and glare.
The city will seek bids for the project and hope to award a contract so that the work can begin in December, according to City Engineer Joe Cunha.
“If we get it started earlier it will be a bonus,” he said.
Asbury Park was announced last summer as one of four New Jersey municipalities selected to receive round one grant funds for streetscape and waterfront improvements, according to a news release from the state’s Economic Development Authority.
Funds come through the EDA-administered Neighborhood and Community Revitalization Program. Municipalities selected to receive round one funds are Highlands, Asbury Park, Keansburg and Sea Isle City.
A total of $10 million in grants of $125,000 to $1.5 million per project will be provided for “Main Street” revitalization improvements to streetscapes, lighting and sidewalks along with façade enhancements, code-related and other physical upgrades to commercial areas in support of the recovery of economic activity in commercial corridors in Sandy-impacted towns and cities throughout the State.
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