This Tri-Cities street is losing its streetlights for a month. Here’s when — and why

Utility work in Richland will leave one street with little to no lighting for about a month, according to the city.

The Bonneville Power Administration is currently removing and replacing utility poles along a stretch of Thayer Drive, the city of Richland said in a Sept. 11 news release.

Several streetlights are connected to these poles, the city explained, so they must be removed during the replacement process.

“We understand the importance of reliable lighting along this corridor and appreciate the community’s patience as we work through this transition period,” Carlo D’Allessandro, the city’s Public Works Department director, said in the release.

Here’s what to know:

Which Richland road is losing lighting at night?

According to the city of Richland, the project impacts streetlights on parts of Thayer Drive between Longfitt Street and Woodbury Street.

This stretch of the road is almost entirely residential, though there are a few churches and a couple of businesses.

Longfitt Street connects with Thayer Drive across from Richland High School, so students may notice the lack of light if leaving campus after sunset.

When will Thayer Drive lose street lighting?

That part of Thayer Drive will “experience little to no street lighting” starting on Monday, Sept. 15, the city said.

How long will it take to install new streetlights?

“New, dedicated streetlights” will be installed, the city said, but “slight contractor delays” have pushed back the completion date.

According to the release, the installation of the streetlights will be “partially complete by early October,” with lighting on the east side.

The city will place the remaining lights once BPA finishing installing the new utility poles.

In the meantime, city officials recommend being careful while on the road.

“Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to use extra caution when traveling through this area during nighttime hours until full lighting is restored,” the city said in its release.

This story was originally published September 16, 2025 at 5:00 AM.