After CTV News featured a light standard with visible and extensive rust damage, the City has taken it down – it’s just one of thousands the officials say is slated to be replaced.
A viewer brought his concerns to CTV News, after seeing a number of rusted and deteriorating light standards being removed along Whitemud Drive – he was concerned for the safety of people driving and walking nearby.
One, found by CTV reporter David Ewasuk on Whitemud Drive between 75 and 91 Street, was described as appearing like Swiss cheese. Whole sections of the pole had been eroded away by the rust.
Ewasuk brought a photo of that light pole to City Councillor Mike Nickel Thursday, and he called it a safety risk.
“You don’t have to be an expert in metal and rust to know that when you can see through your light pole, that we have a problem,” Nickel said Thursday. “That is very alarming, because that is a major public hazard.”
Nickel told CTV News that he would be contacting the department in charge of removing potentially dangerous light poles such as that one.
On Friday morning, the light standard in question was taken down, replaced by an orange pylon - however, it wasn't clear how it came down.
City officials weren’t able to share the guidelines for removing rusted streetlights Thursday, but officials said crews are currently working to replace light poles on 50 Street between Anthony Henday Drive and Whitemud Drive.
There are about 7,500 around the city that need replacing, the city said, and about 1,000 to 1,500 will be replaced in 2014.
With files from David Ewasuk and Ashley Molnar
