News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Two different types of light shield are being tested on Sisters street lights to keep light from diffusing out and up.
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is testing two alternative fixes to the Cascade Avenue streetlights to bring them into compliance with Sisters' dark skies ordinance.
Under that ordinance, lights are supposed to be shielded to cast their light downward to avoid light pollution that interferes with enjoyment of Sisters Country's signature star-filled sky.
The streetlights were installed by ODOT as part of the Cascade Avenue renovation project earlier this year.
The two demonstration pieces are on streetlights on opposite corners of Cascade at the Larch Street intersection. One is a solid block on the top part of the light; the other is perforated. Both are designed to prevent light from being cast outward and upward.
ODOT spokesman Peter Murphy said that the City of Sisters will decide which version works best, then the devises will be ordered and installed for all the street lights. There is no definitive timeline on when that will happen.
City Public Works Director Paul Bertagna noted that the City is reaching out to the Sisters Astronomy Club to get their input on which fix best diffuses light downward.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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