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Jan 11, 2024

What's the deal with Quincy's group of purple street lights?

purple street lamps in Quincy, Washington QUINCY - We now know that the city of Quincy's random group of purple street lights are not intended to be festive or save energy. The arrangement of the

purple street lamps in Quincy, Washington

QUINCY - We now know that the city of Quincy's random group of purple street lights are not intended to be festive or save energy.

The arrangement of the unconventional-looking lamps can be found at the roundabout intersecting SR 28/F St with 13th Ave/Rd F on the west end of town.

The installation of the LED street lights was the responsibility of WSDOT. However, the state says lights are a manufacturer delivery error and defect. The lights were installed earlier this year.

"We (WSDOT) have encountered some roadway lights that are experiencing premature failure due to what appears to be a manufacturing defect. Most LED roadway lighting (including all of WSDOT’s LED roadway lighting) is not actually a white light source – it is a blue light source that is passed through a yellow phosphor coating to create what appears to be white light. When this yellow phosphor layer moves (bad adhesion) or fails, the source blue light becomes visible and it casts blue light instead of white. We have been identifying locations where this has occurred throughout the state, and are working with the manufacturers of the affected lights to replace them under warranty."

The lights are expected to be replaced sometime this summer.

It's unknown if some drivers actually enjoy the color change.