Milton seeks bids on trail lighting project

Milton officials are seeking contractors to build a lighting system for the Rails to Trails extension from Federal Street to Lavinia Street.

The town has solicited bids for two contracts: the first to install conduits for the lights along the trail, and the second to install bollard lights. Bids on the project will be received until 10 a.m., Monday, May 24. Town Manager Kristy Rogers said town council would be in position to approve a bidder at its Monday, June 7 meeting. 

The overall project is estimated to cost $195,000, with the town and the state splitting costs 50/50, or $97,500 each. The state funding comes under the condition that the project be completed by Tuesday, June 1.

The specifications for the conduits call for three boring locations and around 3,500 feet of conduit built according to Delmarva Power guidelines. The town plans to use three GranVille-style lights, which resemble an acorn shape, and one shoebox-style light supplied by Delmarva Power. The winning contractor would be able to work on the conduits from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

The plan, as devised by an ad hoc committee consisting of town officials and residents of the Wagamon’s West Shores development, is for the lighting to be in three segments. The committee was formed because lighting the trail had been controversial, as residents of nearby Wagamon’s West Shores raised concerns that lighting the trail would impact their quality of life and encourage 24/7 trail use. 

From Federal Street to the trestle bridge would be the GranVille and shoebox lights.  The first light would be 80 feet from the trail entrance, with other lights placed 150 to 176 feet apart. The shoebox fixture would be closest to the bridge and would include additional shielding to keep from shining too much light toward homes in Wagamon’s West Shores.

At the hill where the trail splits, there will be five lights, four GranVille and one shoebox, again supplied by Delmarva Power. The shoebox fixture would be closest to the bridge followed by three GranVille lights between 136 and 160 feet apart. The last GranVille light would be across West Shore Drive in front of the trail entrance. The fixture would be shielded to cut down on the amount of light shining toward nearby homes. 

From the hill to the end of the trail on Lavinia Street, the committee called for bollard lights to be contracted out. The town’s specifications call for installing 35 concrete pole bases with 35 bollard light fixtures. The bollard lights would be placed 60 feet apart, no higher than four feet tall and positioned to shine downward toward the trail and shielded to prevent light behind and skyward.The contractor would be responsible for installing a service panel and wiring each fixture. Again, work would be permitted Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.