The city of Minneapolis is grappling with widespread street light outages, and the root cause has been identified as the theft of copper wires. According to Bryan Dodds, a city engineer for the Public Works Department in Minneapolis, approximately 9.5 miles of copper wiring was stolen in the city last year alone.
In response to this ongoing issue, Minneapolis city leaders are set to unveil a plan on Thursday to address the street light outages. The proposed 2024 Street Lighting Replacement Plan would involve replacing street wiring in certain areas, as well as making upgrades like concrete foundations and LED fixtures. The estimated cost of this plan is $1.8 million.
This problem isn’t unique to Minneapolis, as neighboring city St. Paul has also been heavily impacted by copper wire theft. In an effort to combat this issue, St. Paul city crews have been experimenting with different strategies such as installing metal bands around poles and implementing silent alarms to alert the police.
Moreover, state lawmakers recently passed a bill requiring anyone selling copper metal to have a state-issued license. The objective is to deter individuals from engaging in copper wire theft.
During the upcoming meeting, city councilors will also receive updates on a proposed red light camera pilot program. This program aims to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities by installing cameras at various intersections throughout the city. However, the implementation of these cameras is contingent on state lawmakers’ approval.
Overall, Minneapolis is actively working towards addressing the copper wire theft issue and ensuring the safety and functionality of its street lighting system.
