So last week, our friend Peaboy e-mailed us with a “hot tip”:
I have a story idea for you… go along N Pacific Way and count how many street lights are out… it varies night to night, but I can count 5 or 6 some nights between 1st Ave and Fisheries Supply.
We were unimpressed. In fact, we mocked him:
Hmm….streetlights are out sometimes. I smell Pulitzer.
Well, you can imagine our chagrin when he mailed us a link to the MyBallard blog, which in turn referenced the West Seattle blog covering this exact story!
We noticed on a drive around Ballard the other night that dozens of streetlights are burned out, and today our fellow neighborhood news site West Seattle Blog reports that Seattle City Light has a huge backlog of 3,500 burned out lights across the city. “There are many more trouble streetlights reported this time of year, and the current estimated turn-around time for repair is 32 working days,” said City Light’s Mike Eagan. To report a burned-out light, use this online form or call 206-684-7056.
We had the story, it was ours to scoop, but we let it go, and now we have to play catch-up. Oh the ignominy!
We’ll believe you next time, Peaboy.
While 3500 burned out streetlights seems a lot – especially if they’re in front of your home or business – that’s fewer than 5% of the 84,000+ streetlights we have in Seattle. That said, it is important the people report them (either on line or by calling them in) and get them into the queue, including those that go off and on. That means they’re nearing the end of their operating lives.
In some instances, the challenge is not just a burned-out bulb. The University Bridge, for example, has had several lights out; but, the wiring on the bridge is 90 years old and the design no longer up to safety standards. That means rewiring before new streetlights can be installed. Fortunately, that work is being done right now.
I’m confident your shame shall pass! Keep up the good neighborhood work (my own neighborhood for 13-14 years).
Mike Eagan,
City Light
I noticed that a bunch of burned out lights in parts of Wallingford that I care about were all replaced in one day a few weeks ago. It made me unusually happy for days afterward, like Christmas. One that many northerly Wallingfordians can appreciate is on Sunnyside and 50th, a highly trafficked crosswalk that was once dark and dangerous and is now bright and not quite as dangerous.
Thank you City Light!
Is the light in the photo in Wallingford? It’s pretty…
mirrormirror: it isn’t, it’s from West Virginia: http://flickr.com/photos/ldysw357/1701757474/
But maybe we can requisition one from Mike!