Charlotte Installs Solar-Powered Streetlights Along Arrowood Corridor Near Blue Line Station
Charlotte wrapped up work on solar-powered streetlights along Arrowood Station Drive this past Monday, March 30. This marks the fifth completed project in the area under the city’s Strategic Investment…
Charlotte wrapped up work on solar-powered streetlights along Arrowood Station Drive this past Monday, March 30. This marks the fifth completed project in the area under the city's Strategic Investment Area program. The new lights stretch 715 feet, linking England Street to the Arrowood Blue Line station parking lot and platform.
City officials gathered Monday evening for a ribbon-cutting event they called "Light Up the Night." The work stems from a $55 million bond-supported pilot program that's rolling out across 22 areas citywide.
"Lighting matters. It affects whether a parent feels safe walking their child to the bus stop or light rail. It affects whether a small business owner stays open after dark. It affects whether you feel safe getting home," said District 3 Councilmember Joi Mayo, according to WBTV.
The Strategic Investment Area program works to make neighborhoods safer through better streets and sidewalks. Instead of fixing things here and there, the program brings many projects together in one spot to create real change.
Virginia Keogh belongs to the Southwest Area Neighborhood Coalition. She thinks these projects show residents that the city sees them. "This area has gotten a bad rap, especially Nations Ford and Arrowood. This will help out a lot," said Keogh.
Keogh thinks the lights might cut down on crime. "This project will help with safety when it comes to crime. Criminals don't like lights. They don't want to be seen," she said.
Heather Bolick serves as Chief Sustainability & Resiliency Officer. She pointed out that Charlotte takes protecting the environment seriously. These streetlights run on solar power alone.
Builders have put up townhomes and apartment buildings around Arrowood over the past few years. Workers finished a new sidewalk there in October as part of this same program.
More work is coming before 2026 ends. Plans call for:
- 0.8 miles of bike lanes
- 770 feet of planted street trees
- four intersection and pedestrian upgrades
- 1,760 feet of new sidewalks and shared-use paths
- two ADA corridor fixes
- five signalized pedestrian crossings
- four bus stop upgrades
City officials say 20 to 30 more projects will arrive in the area before 2026 wraps up.
