Street lighting

Street lighting improves nighttime visibility and safety on city streets, reducing accidents and enhancing security for pedestrians and drivers alike. The City of Madison Traffic Engineering Electrical Division is dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the safety and beauty of our city through effective street lighting. Our mission is to provide reliable, energy-efficient lighting solutions that ensure safe and well-lit streets for all residents and visitors while also being sensitive to keeping our skies dark.

Our Services

Street Light Installation

We install new streetlights in areas that need improved visibility and safety, as well as in expansion areas such as new subdivisions.

Request a New Street Light

You can submit a request for a new street light using our New Light Request Form. If a new traffic street light installation is recommended, then the city will determine how to pay for the design and construction of the light(s) including the creation of an assessment district.

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Process for requesting a new street light

Contact your Alder or the Traffic Engineering dept with your request
- Contact your Alder
- Contact Traffic Engineering
A City employee will reach out to you to discuss options
The City will perform a study to determine if your request is warranted
- The City may recommend no changes, based on city ordinances, existing infrastructure, and budgetary restrictions
- The City may request that you or your neighborhood contribute to the funding of a new streetlight or fixture
The City will create and distribute an online petition to determine if other nearby residents support an additional street light
- A unanimous agreement is not required, just a majority
If the neighborhood will contribute to the funding of the installation, the Traffic Engineering Dept will take the deposit. If the neighborhood is not funding the any part of the work, this step will be skipped.
Traffic Engineering will perform the work or authorize the work be done by MG&E or Alliant Energy
Any remaining portion of the deposit will be returned after the project has completed

Note: This process may take several months, or longer (installation is weather dependent)

Process for other street light requests

(brighter light, light shining into home, removal etc.)

Contact your Alder or the Traffic Engineering dept with your request
- Contact your Alder
- Contact Traffic Engineering
A City employee may reach out to you to discuss options
The City may perform a study to determine if your request is warranted
- The City may recommend no changes, based on city ordinances, existing infrastructure, and budgetary reasons
It is unlikely, but you may be asked to partially fund any alterations. The Traffic Engineering dept will take the deposit.
- If you are unable to help fund the alteration, we may contact your alder or neighborhood association to see if they would like to help fund
Traffic Engineering will perform the work or authorize the work be done by MG&E or Alliant Energy
Any remaining portion of the deposit will be returned after the project has completed

Note: This process may take several weeks, or longer dependent on the weather

Maintenance and Repairs

Our team ensures that all street lights are functioning correctly. If you notice a street light that is out or malfunctioning, please report it to us.

Report a Problem

If you notice a street light that is out, flickering, damaged, obstructed, too bright or dim, please let us know. You can report an issue by filling out our online form. Your feedback helps us keep our streets safe and well-lit.

Upgrades

We are continually upgrading our lighting systems to more energy-efficient LED lights, reducing energy consumption and improving illumination.

Energy Efficiency

Madison is committed to sustainability. Our transition to LED street lights significantly reduces energy consumption, cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions and saving taxpayer dollars.