Vicksburg’s main thoroughfares are getting new lighting.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen Monday approved an agreement with Entergy to install LED lights on major streets, including the installation of decorative lighting from the Klondyke north on North Washington Street to the U.S. 61 North Bypass.

According to preliminary estimates, the installation of LED lights on the city’s main streets will cost $29,186 and save the city about $3,000 per month. The city’s present monthly bill for the lights is $58,630.21.

The plan involves replacing 891 of the city’s 903 lights on its major streets with the LED lights, which are brighter and more energy-efficient. The amount of time to complete the project is estimated at about six months.

The major streets to initially get lighting upgrades include:

• North Washington Street from the Klondyke north to U.S. 61 North.
• Clay Street from Interstate 20 west to the Floodwall.
• Clay Street from I-20 east to Mississippi 27.
• North Washington to Warrenton Road from the Klondyke south to Warrenton Road at U.S. 61 South.
• Pemberton Square Boulevard from U.S. 61 South to its intersection with Halls Ferry Road.
• Halls Ferry Road from I-20 north on Cherry Street, ending at Cherry and Fayette streets.
• Mission 66, Confederate Avenue and North Frontage Road from Sky Farm Avenue to Washington Street.
• Halls Ferry Road from 1-20 south to the entrance of Sports Force Parks on the Mississippi.

North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield said Entergy is expected to demonstrate four different light fixtures in about two weeks in an area on North Washington Street north of the Klondyke, including a light that will have a wider beam to provide increased coverage.

“It is more of a spotlight; that’s going to make a great big difference in the amount of (light) output, not only in area, but in brightness,” he said.

“This should provide some safety for the streets and neighborhoods,” Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said. “My understanding is when we get through with this project, (police) Chief (Milton) Moore will go into some of the high crime neighborhoods based on 911 calls. He’s going to be looking at that.

“When you have lighting, it’s a tool for safety, because you can see,” he said. “This is a major improvement to this city.

“This will move the city forward, and within the next four or five months, you ought to see some significant differences in lighting on Clay, Washington, Mission 66 from the cemetery to the frontage road, and Cherry street from Fort Hill Subdivision all the way out to the end of Halls Ferry (Road),” Flaggs said.