Dawson Creek Council reviews 10-year street lighting report

Fort St. John, B.C. – The City of Dawson Creek council reviewed a report to council regarding the future of street lighting in Dawson Creek.

The report outlines a street lighting master plan intended to stretch across 10 years, and was presented to council in preparation for the 2025 budget cycle. 

During a council meeting in October 2023, staff were directed by the mayor and council to draft a report for a 10 year street lighting plan, ensuring appropriate illumination for the approximately 118 kilometers of roadways within the municipal boundaries of Dawson Creek. 

According to the report presented to council, 32 kilometers of those roadways have standard city lights, and over 58 per cent of those are more than 10 years old as of 2024. 

67 kilometers of roadways have BC Hydro pole-mounted lights owned by BC Hydro, with electricity costs paid by the City of Dawson Creek. 

The City also pays the electrical costs of 9 kilometers with lighting owned by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. These are located along highways. 

Of the 118 kilometers within the City, 10 kilometers of roadways have no lighting at all. 

Once analyzed by staff, approximately 74 kilometers were assessed to have ‘less than standard spacing but may have adequate lighting based on various factors.’ Only 35 kilometers were reported to have ‘standard, adequately spaced lighting.’ 

Those areas assessed to be less than standard spacing were further analyzed, and more than 80 per cent of those areas were flagged as benefitting from replacement within the next 10 years.

These included locations that had no street lighting at all, street lighting only present at intersections, and places requiring individual light upgrades. 

In the report to council, City staff estimated the entire 10 year plan, factoring in inflation, would cost between $15 and $20 million, or $1.5 to $2 million a year. 

This does not include the costs of areas previously identified for urbanization, as lighting upgrades and installations for those areas would be included in the costs of those projects, and done in harmony with roadworks and repairs. 

The council did not vote on whether to enact the plan, and was merely presented with the project for their perusal. The plan will be considered in conjunction with the upcoming 2025 budget. 

To read the full report presented to the City of Dawson Creek council, see below.