City still working to get interstate lights back on

ATLANTA — Public Works officials say they have a new plan to ensure the lights are on along Atlanta's busy interstates.

Public Works Commissioner Robert Mendoza said more than 90 percent of the lights on the downtown connector are supposed to be working, but from the 17th Street bridge in midtown Atlanta, Channel 2's Sophia Choi could see many were in the dark Wednesday morning.

The city said it has been working to get the lights back on after an audit found that nearly 50 percent were broken. There are about 4,000 lights along Atlanta's interstates.

"They have light sensors so that they only come on at night, however you may see them on in the next few weeks as our crews are out troubleshooting and working on them," Mendoza said.

The problem with the lights began in 2009 when the city cut its budget. The cost to repair them all now is around $1 million.

The city has spent half that in the last 18 months, but they are still working on the project.

WSBTV