Hundreds of rusting streetlamps to be replaced by city

Concerns about thousands of rusting streetlight poles arepromptingthe city to accelerate aprogram to replace them.

CorTen steel poles are rust-coloured and are designed to last up to 40 years. But,as they near the end of that time, some have started to rust out at their base and a few have actually fallenover.

There are 15,000of theminCalgary, most installed between 30 and 40 years ago.

The city's general manager of transportation, Mac Logan, says thatcity council has approved plans to increase the number which are replaced annually from 500 poles to 1,500.

The older poles are being replaced with ones made of galvanized steel and are designed to last up to 60 years.