A 19-mile ribbon of LED streetlights now brightens the U.S. 98 corridor in Santa Rosa County to help make traveling safer in the new year.

Gulf Power has finalized an unprecedented LED streetlight project to install nearly 1,000 LED streetlights from the eastern edge of Gulf Islands National Seashore to the Okaloosa County line. It is part of a partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation and Santa Rosa County.

Florida State Rep. Doug Broxson, R-Midway, spearheaded the initiative.

This is the largest LED streetlight project in Gulf Power history and the largest for its parent, Southern Company. A total of 992 light fixtures were installed.

After a Florida Department of Transportation audit determined the need to brighten U.S. 98 to improve traveler safety, state and county officials approached Gulf Power to assist with the challenge. Construction on the project began early this year.

“Thousands of people rely on U.S. 98 in Santa Rosa County every day and we recognize it is a vital corridor for our community and for economic growth,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power manager of Corporate Communications. “We worked with our customers to provide the best quality, cost-efficient and effective lighting that will enhance safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians along this vital corridor.”

During the project, 280-watt LED streetlights were installed every 200 to 250 feet. The 992 high-efficiency LEDs cover the project’s 19 miles of roadway with a crisp, white, dark-sky friendly light. After mounting lights to existing power poles, approximately 250 new poles and numerous transformers were installed to complete the project. The FDOT paid for the installation while the county will cover the operation and maintenance costs.

The stretch of U.S. 98 in Santa Rosa County has seen traffic swell along with economic growth. The long ribbon of federal highway serves as the main artery connecting commuters, vacationers and commercial transportation — about 43,000 vehicles per day.

The new streetlights produce a better-quality light than the 460-watt High Intensity Discharge lights traditionally installed on this type of roadway. The LED street lights are about 40 percent more efficient than similar HID lights, and last much longer. Typical LED streetlights are rated for a minimum of 50,000 hours — more than 12 years of nighttime operation. This is more than double the typical HID streetlights — rated at 24,000 hours or less.

Fixtures are controlled by photocells and illuminate from dusk to dawn. Gulf Power will maintain the lights for the county.

“We’re working with our customers and partners to improve safety for all who live and commute along this roadway,” Rogers said. “It is terrific to see the project come to completion and to know that this now is a safer roadway.”