The process of replacing sodium luminaires with LED is one of the most important advances that Chillán managed to initiate during the period of 2023, after years of waiting marked by a judicial investigation due to corruption situations that affected the bidding process during the previous administration.
Last June, the municipality signed a contract with the Spanish company Elecnor Chile to give way to the installation process that began in October, intervening from the periphery and the sectors with the greatest feeling of insecurity, towards the center of the commune.
To date there are approximately 7 thousand lights installed, which represents a figure close to 50% progress of a total of 13,955 luminaires that must be installed within a period of six months.
“Like any process, there are always details that must be attended to considering community queries. However, the important thing is that as a municipal administration we were able to carry out this project that will provide two special conditions for the city: more modern and safer,” said the mayor of Chillán, Camilo Benavente.
This initiative was carried out thanks to an agreement with Subdere, under the Investment Program for the Development of Cities. The initial investment awarded was 3,745,653,347, taxes included, a figure to which an additional contribution from the aforementioned program was recently added in the amount of $335,155,163, which totals a total amount of $4,080,808,510.
The first point of public lighting intervention took place last October, on Martín Ruiz de Gamboa and Sepúlveda Bustos avenues, where the ceremony for the installation of the first LED luminaire was held after a ribbon cutting.
The sectors that have already seen the replacement completed are Luis Cruz Martínez, the Zañartu towns, Vicente Pérez, the towns surrounding the municipal stadium, the 20 de Agosto town, among others.
During her visit to the regional capital, on December 6, the Minister of the Interior, Carolina Tohá, witnessed the progress of this project, highlighting, on that occasion, that Chillán will become the first city in the country to have LED lighting. in the entire community.
“The streets and the night are perceived as the points of greatest unrest and insecurity for people and therefore when we bring light to the streets, we give people more peace of mind,” he commented.
According to the municipality, the main benefits that the total replacement of LED lights will bring will be better nighttime luminosity, it will contribute to better visibility for cyclists and motorists, and above all, it will increase pedestrian safety. Furthermore, with this replacement to new LED lights, savings will be achieved for the municipality in maintenance and replacement, but above all it will generate a feeling of security for the Chilaneja community.
In detail, 90-watt P1 spotlights will be installed on avenues, 42-watt P2 on streets, and P3 corresponding to 28 watts in passages.
“We trust that in the coming weeks we will be able to see the urban area of the city completely illuminated with new technology,” said the mayor.
