Streetlights next phase of project

After three months, the N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) has completed road work and the installation of a new sidewalk along Mills Street in Columbus.
Striping of Hwy. 108/Mills Street was completed the first weekend in January and the sidewalk was completed just before Christmas.
The new sidewalk was installed on the south side of the street between Blanton and Peak streets just past downtown Columbus.
The road work along Hwy. 108 included curbing and guttering along the same section as the sidewalk.
Columbus Town Manager Jonathan Kanipe said the town is pleased with how quickly the work was done. Work began at the end of September and involved lane closings and some traffic delays.
With DOT’s work complete, the town is now anticipating working with Duke Energy to install new street lighting along the new sidewalk.
Conduit was laid along the sidewalk to allow for 12 new street lights. Columbus Town Council recently approved the new lighting for $14.66 per light per month, or $2,100 per year.
The new streetlights will be “traditional” lighting to match the rest of the lighting on Mills Street.
Kanipe said he is unsure when Duke Energy will install the new lighting. It could be in a few months or more, depending on Duke’s workload this winter.
The town will pay a monthly fee for the new lighting, with Duke Energy owning the lights.