The city is adding 500 street lights in Albuquerque, which local residents say that’s not enough

KOB 4 asked: “Are there any streets that you notice that you would not walk at night?” His answer?

“Well, Grove Street and Charleston are probably the worst, I don’t even go to Pennsylvania at night,” Stalborn said.

So KOB 4 drove along these streets and they were actually dark, street lights only at the intersections left long blocks in the dark.

But on other streets, like the Southern, the Albuquerque City Department of Municipal Development has installed new LED lights. In total, the city has spent over $ 5 million installing more than 500 lights on the subway.

“These lighting improvements are part of the city’s efforts to invest in historically disinvested neighborhoods and improve safety for everyone using the street,” said DMD director Pat Montoya.

North of Downtown, Wells Park has 78 traffic lights, Southwest Mesa has 215 new ones, and the International District now has 162 new street lights.

When you drive in these neighborhoods you can see the difference. The new lights are lower and brighter, with many pointing to the sidewalk rather than just the street. But there are some stretches of street like 12th Street where the new traffic lights just end. North of Lomas, 12th Street is bright, but south of Lomas, in the Historic Downtown Neighborhood, 12th Street only has lights at the intersections.

“The more you get the better, because these streets are pretty dark,” said Stalborn.

Stalborn and his neighbors could grant their wish. DMD says the city isn’t finished yet.

In the new year, 300 more lights will be installed by spring. And these new lights use a combination of electricity and solar energy.