LETHBRIDGE: City crews have started the process of replacing old High Pressure Sodium (HPS) street lights with LED ones on the south side.

City Council approved the project back in October and work got underway March 4th.

Fred Shaw is in charge of the community lighting program for the city. He explained the importance of making the change, "It's anticipated that the city will save about 50-per cent on energy costs, as well as just moving to the new technology the expected life is 20-years on the fixture, as opposed to changing light bulbs every five years."

Shaw added that the white light cast from the new LED units will be about 30-per cent brighter than some of the older bulbs that have faded around the city.

As for a timeline, Shaw noted that they should finish replacing the lights on the south side by mid-April, with plans to get at the rest of the city next fall.

The project, which will ultimately see 11,000 street lights replaced in Lethbridge, is expected to cost $7.5-million in total, with funding coming from Federal Gas Tax grants.