OKEMOS - Illuminated will be the word to describe Okemos Road come January 2014.

Starting November 1st, Consumers Energy will install 84 new streetlights along Okemos Road.

Extending from Jolly Road to Clinton Street, a federal grant will fund 70 percent of this addition to the Okemos Road Enhancement Project, the other 30 percent coming form the Township's general fund.

The hope is not only to increase safety, but also the number of travelers who stop by.

"Tha's the main road into the township from the freeway," said Ray Severy, Meridian Township Director of Public Works and Engineering. "So some of the board members wanted to kind of make that a lighted corridor...enough light to kind of make it out from the other streets in the area. So when people are coming in off the freeway, they'll kind of see this lighted road coming in to Downtown Okemos."

The estimated annual cost of the LED streetlights is around $10,000.

Severy also stated there should be very little disturbance in traffic while construction is going on.

Overall, this two mile stretch of streetlights is a first for the township, hopefully lighting the way for nearby roads in the future.