'Dixie Do-Over' solar plan stalls

Louisville Metro Councilman Rick Blackwell said he became a solar power advocate when he realized the sun could lighten up Dixie Highway — at night.

Dozens of solar panels were included in a proposal to improve pedestrian redesign of the Interstate 264-Dixie Highway, enough to power street lights along Dixie Highway as part of a Dixie Do-Over to improve safety and appearance of the busy southwest Louisville commercial strip.

Then they were taken out, Blackwell said, a result of pushback from both the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Metro Louisville, which has the lead in the intersection construction project.

Dozens of people have now signed a petition to the state and city, which states: "City and state officials want to cancel solar-powered street lights along Dixie Highway." Their petition comes as Metro Council has passed a resolution backing solar power amid a new buzz about the technology.

State and city officials responded by saying the issue more complicated than that.

Andrea Clifford, the spokeswoman for the transportation cabinet, said solar was too costly to install and maintain.

"Due to budgetary restraints the project development team recommendation was to concentrate on pedestrian accommodations in the interchange and if lighting was still desired for the corridor it could be pursued at a later date as a separate endeavor," she said.

She referred other questions to Louisville because it has the lead in the project.

Chris Poynter, spokesman for Mayor Greg Fischer, said the federal government objected to solar panels in a freeway intersection and that the cost issues were also still being worked out.

Councilman Blackwell shared estimates that showed a solar array would cost $160,000 out of a Phase One project budget of $4.3 million for the interchange improvements. In all some 210 street lights are needed, but he said he'd be willing to start with a pilot project of smaller scale.

Dixie Highway now is mostly illuminated by businesses' parking lots, he said, adding that's not safe. But because that stretch lies outside the urban services district, there's no funding mechanism for new street lights, he added.

"There really is no alternative," Blackwell said.

Reach reporter James Bruggers at 502-582-4645 and at jbruggers@courier-journal.com.