Streetlight Installation Has Begun

Last week, Indian Time mistakenly published this article only in Kanien'keha. Here is the English article. We apologize for the error.

By Mahlon Smoke

Driving at night can be terrifying sometimes, especially with limited sight, and being blinded by cars driving by in the other direction. Streetlights have always been something that the community has needed, but a plan has never quite been put into action. Finally, in 2017 a plan was put in place and installation has begun all along Route 37 to install LED streetlights to make driving along Route 37 safer and more clear. After getting positive community feedback and creating a partnership with National Grid to help with installation, the construction of the street lamps began.

In October, about five streetlights were built, with plans to build more all along Route 37, including the Frogtown intersection, White Road intersection, and Library Road intersection.

Brent Herne, SRMT Planning and Infrastructure, said, "National Grid will finish installing the remaining lights (a total of 31 lights) this year. They are waiting on a shipment of arms. I believe this is just a start for streetlights, and now that we have an agreement with National Grid we can add or remove lights at any time," when asked about the role National Grid had in the installation.

Within the next month or so LED streetlights will be installed at several intersections. The lights brightening the roads will make it safer for late-night drivers and the occasional late-night walker on the side of the road. For more information and a map of the full installations, visit the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe website at:

https://www.srmt-nsn.gov/news/2018/akwesasne-streetlight-installations-commence