Duke Energy Launches LED Streetlight Upgrades in Uptown Charlotte

Duke Energy announced plans Thursday to swap out hundreds of streetlights in uptown Charlotte with LED technology. This kicks off the Tryon Street Refresh project. The utility laid out the first phase of a bigger push to modernize lighting inside the Interstate 277 loop.

The project wraps up by July or August. The price tag wasn't disclosed.

A lighting audit by Charlotte Center City Partners showed 2,900 fixtures currently light uptown. About 62% already use LED technology, thanks to recent maintenance or new construction. The other 38% use older technology and will be replaced.

The first phase targets Tryon Street from Carson Street to 12th Street. Workers will install 179 new LED fixtures, which include roadway lights, decorative teardrop-style lamps, and pedestrian-scale units.

"Some people are a little hesitant to come uptown because they feel like it's a little too dark, a little too dim," said Charlotte City Council member Dante Anderson to WCCB Charlotte. "So this program in particular, with the new technology that they're installing it will ... create a much brighter experience and a much safer environment."

New streetlights will feature smart control technology that allows digital monitoring. The utility gets automatic alerts when a bulb fails.

"In the past, we usually waited for members of the public to notify us when a light was out," Weintraub said to The Charlotte Observer. "With these new controls, we will know automatically and can respond much faster, without waiting for a customer to report it through our app."

Council member Malcolm Graham said the improvements go past appearance. "We're not just improving how the area looks, but enhancing how it feels — brighter, safer, and more welcoming to everyone," Graham said.

City leaders want the upgrades to boost public safety and walkability across the district. "We live and work in this community, and we're proud to help make these public spaces more vibrant," said Sasha Weintraub, the company's executive vice president and chief customer officer. "Our goal is to create a better daily experience for everyone who spends time downtown."

Once the Tryon Street phase wraps up, the project will expand to 30 more streets within the I-277 loop. Officials will figure out priority based on safety needs and traffic patterns.

The Charlotte-based utility serves 8.4 million customers across the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest. The company reported fourth-quarter revenue of $4.9 billion, a 7% increase year over year.