Los Angeles Advances Two-Year Plan to Repair or Replace 60,000 Streetlights

The City of Los Angeles is advancing a citywide, two-year initiative to repair or replace as many as 60,000 streetlights, using solar technology as a central part of the modernization effort. Mayor Karen Bass launched the plan through Executive Directive 18, signed in March 2026. The city reports that nearly 5,000 solar streetlights have already been installed and expects the total to reach nearly 6,500 by the end of 2026. The administration says that pace would nearly quadruple the number of solar streetlights in Los Angeles in less than six months, while addressing a longstanding backlog of lighting repairs.

The initiative is framed as both an infrastructure and public-safety effort. The city says solar streetlights can help reduce energy consumption, improve neighborhood lighting, and support Los Angeles’ transition to 100% clean energy by 2035. It also aims to address copper wire theft, which the source says increased 1,200% over the last 10 years. Repairs caused by such theft can cost at least four times more than standard maintenance, adding a cost-control rationale to the city’s strategy of repairing or replacing out-of-service lights and modernizing the network.

For contractors and suppliers, the scale and duration of the initiative are relevant indicators of potential future demand, not evidence of an open procurement. Businesses offering solar street-light fixtures, poles, electrical and lighting components, installation, repair, or related services can assess whether their capabilities align with a multi-year municipal program. The citywide scope could also require planning for equipment availability, installation capacity, and coordinated work across neighborhoods. However, the available announcement identifies no active solicitation, contract value, submission deadline, procurement contact, or awardee; firms should not treat the announcement as a current bid opportunity.

The city’s published progress offers useful context for market monitoring. More than 270 solar lights have been installed in Council District 13, and the initiative is being highlighted with local officials and community leaders, including Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez. Mayor Bass described the program as an effort to “break away from outdated street light infrastructure” and clear the backlog of service requests. For GovCon businesses, the next actionable step is to monitor official City of Los Angeles procurement announcements for any solicitations, task orders, or vendor requirements tied to lighting equipment, installation, repair, or maintenance.

• The initiative covers repair or replacement of up to 60,000 streetlights citywide over two years.
• Nearly 5,000 solar streetlights have been installed; the city expects nearly 6,500 by the end of 2026.
• Executive Directive 18, signed in March 2026, launched the city’s solar-centered streetlight plan.
• The program targets public safety, a long-standing repair backlog, lower energy consumption, and progress toward 100% clean energy by 2035.
• The city reports a 1,200% increase in copper wire theft over 10 years; theft-related repairs can cost at least four times standard maintenance.
• More than 270 solar lights have been installed in Council District 13.
• Potentially relevant suppliers include solar lighting and streetlight-component vendors, as well as installation and repair contractors.
• No open solicitation, contract value, procurement contact, or submission deadline is identified; monitor official City of Los Angeles procurement notices.