Winneshiek County to install LED street lights at two intersections

Winneshiek County will use state funds to install LED street lights at Highway 52 and College Drive and on Highway 139 and County A-18.

LEDs have been used in home and business lighting and also for traffic lights.  Now a number of communities are switching out their existing street lights and installing LED street lights.

Supporters of the LED street lights say they are brighter than traditional lights, resulting in better safety.  LEDs are also more energy efficient, saving 40 to 50 percent of the cost of operating standard street lights.  That saves communities money and provides environmental benefits.

Critics of LED street lights say the blue lighting can disrupt sleeping patterns of humans and wildlife.