Four different vendors are providing LED, or LEDs, for the city to test on the south side of the Claude Allouez Bridge. The energy-efficient lights cut energy usage in half and last two to four times longer than the traditional metal halide lamps.

City workers could begin taking down the test LEDs as early as next week as the three-month trial comes to an end. But officials are taking notice of the advantages they provide and hope to replace the entire bridge with LED technology by 2012, assistant city engineer Karen Heyrman said.

The traditional light fixtures on the bridge are 250 watts, consume 292 watts of power and last about 24,000 hours, while LEDs are closer to 150 watts and some can glow for up to 118,000 hours. Long-term savings would be recognized.

As recently as last year, officials considered LED while reconstructing a parking lot, but the city went with induction lights because the costs over the life of the bulbs were less.