Monaco Enhances Sustainable Urban Development with Public Lighting Overhaul

In a continued effort to advance Monaco's environmental commitments, the Department of Urban Development (DAU), under the Ministry of Equipment, Environment, and Urban Planning, is enhancing the Principality's energy efficiency through a series of public lighting upgrades. This initiative reflects a strategic push towards sustainable urban planning, focusing specifically on the modernization of lighting within Monaco's tunnel systems.

Starting in 2021, the DAU embarked on a project to replace older fluorescent and sodium lighting fixtures with high-efficiency LED lights in various tunnels across Monaco. These LEDs boast impressive lifespans of 80,000 to 100,000 hours, dramatically reducing both energy usage and maintenance demands. This transition not only aligns with the Principality’s energy conservation goals but also decreases the frequency of tunnel closures and reduces waste, as the new lights require replacement far less often—approximately once every ten years.

The upgrade process, having already been successfully implemented in the Sainte-Dévote, Débarcadère, and Digue tunnels, is set to continue along the Dorsale. To accommodate these enhancements, phased nighttime closures of the tunnels have been scheduled. The first phase affects the Rocher Nice under the Rocher, Rocher, and Canton tunnels from January 6 to February 5. The second phase, from February 10 to February 28, will see closures at the Colle, Dorsale, Hélios, Fontvieille descent, and Rocher Nice under the Rocher tunnels. The final phase, from June 16 to August 4, will include upgrades in the Dorsale, Canton (T2ter), and Larvotto tunnels. Through these systematic upgrades, Monaco reinforces its position as a leader in sustainable urban development.