Lighting the Way: A City’s Vision for Safer, Smarter Infrastructure
In the growing Dallas metroplex, the City of Rowlett is proving that smart infrastructure investments can deliver outsized impact. With the largest solar streetlighting deployment ever completed on a U.S. state highway, Rowlett has illuminated more than roads—it has lit the path forward for cities nationwide navigating aging infrastructure, safety gaps, and energy constraints.
Faced with unlit corridors, budget limitations, and the lengthy timelines associated with utility-based lighting, city officials found an innovative partner in Fonroche Lighting America. The result: 425 solar-powered SmartLight units now line 5.5 miles across Route 66 (Lakeview Parkway), Dalrock Road, and Rowlett Road—transforming three critical corridors that previously posed daily safety risks for commuters, pedestrians, and students alike.
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The Challenge: Safety Risks and a Grid That Couldn’t Keep Up
Before this project, major segments of Rowlett’s busiest roads were in complete darkness. Route 66, a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) corridor and freight route, lacked any lighting infrastructure. Dalrock Road, with its curving alignment and limited visibility, had long drawn safety concerns from residents. Rowlett Road, a key connector serving residential zones and schools, offered only intermittent lighting at intersections, leaving hazardous gaps between signals.
In 2024, the city sought a traditional grid-tied solution. The estimate came back at $2.8 million—just for Route 66 alone. That left Dalrock and Rowlett Roads in the dark. Faced with this stark budget reality, Rowlett needed a scalable, resilient alternative that didn’t depend on lengthy trenching, permitting, or power hookups.
The Solution: Fast, Future-Proof, and Fully Off-Grid
Backed by a voter-approved bond, Rowlett partnered with Fonroche Lighting America, a Fort Worth-based leader in infrastructure-grade solar lighting. The company deployed 425 SmartLight Essential systems, each equipped with its proprietary Power 365 energy platform. Designed to operate entirely off-grid, the lights deliver 365 nights of guaranteed illumination per year—with no operating costs, no maintenance for over a decade, and no vulnerability to grid outages.
Each unit was tailored for performance in North Texas’s climate and urban context:
- 3000K warm-white LEDs for residential visibility
- Dark Sky compliance with full cut-off optics
- TxDOT-compliant 6-ft pole setbacks
- Direct burial installation on 4-ft concrete bases
- Under 1-hour install time per unit
This trenchless deployment method avoided road closures, minimized public disruption, and enabled the city to triple the coverage within its original budget.
A Historic First for State Highway Lighting
Perhaps the most groundbreaking aspect of the Rowlett project is its scale and setting. According to city officials and Fonroche leadership, this is the longest stretch of solar-powered lighting ever installed on a state highway in the United States.
“By choosing solar street lighting, the city is not only improving public safety but also making a lasting investment in energy independence and environmental responsibility,” said Hocine Benaoum, CEO of Fonroche Lighting America. “We’re proud to partner with a community like Rowlett that is lighting the way toward a smarter, more sustainable future.”
Rowlett Mayor Jeff Winget echoed that sentiment:
“These new lights illuminate more than our roadways. They reflect our commitment to the safety and security of the people who live and work here—and those who visit.”
Results: Safer Roads, Stronger Communities
Since the project’s completion in October 2025, residents have reported a noticeable improvement in visibility and confidence during nighttime travel. Lighting along the corridors now delivers consistent 0.5–0.6 footcandles—adequate for identifying curves, signage, and pedestrians in formerly underlit or dark conditions.
On Dalrock Road, improved visibility at sharp turns and intersections has reduced blind spots and improved driver reaction times. On Rowlett Road, lighting fills dangerous gaps near schools, parks, and civic centers, supporting pedestrian safety and safer commutes for students and families.
Rowlett’s SmartLight systems continue to operate independently of the grid, even during outages and severe weather events. And with 98% recyclable NiMH batteries and components that are over 90% recyclable, the city’s investment supports both its operational goals and its climate action commitments.
Key Metrics:
- 425 solar streetlights
- 5.5 miles of lit roadway
- 3 corridors (Route 66, Dalrock Rd, Rowlett Rd)
- <1 hour installation per unit
- 50% cost savings vs. traditional grid lighting
- Zero energy bills for the city
- 365 nights/year of guaranteed lighting
A Replicable Model for Texas and Beyond
The Rowlett deployment serves as a beacon for cities navigating similar challenges: aging infrastructure, stretched budgets, and increasing demands for safety and sustainability. With Fonroche Lighting’s trenchless, autonomous systems, municipalities can deliver faster, cleaner lighting without waiting on the grid.
“Solar lighting isn’t a backup option anymore,” said Benaoum. “It’s the new standard.”
Reach out to a FLA Team Member today to discover solar solutions for your city!