About 2,700 street lights are being changed in Thompson but it’s not because they’re all broken.

Manitoba Hydro has begun their LED Roadway Lighting Conversion Program.

Scott Powell, Communications Director tells us more:

"LED roadway lights offer a number of advantages over the traditional high pressure sodium thats been in place for the last 30 years. Obviously way more energy efficient, much longer life and really enhance brightness and visibility for driver. It’s a program we’re really moving forward with and have a number of conversion projects occurring over the summer months here in Manitoba".

Powell says Thompson was the pilot city of the conversion. Nine lights were installed in 2013, and are still in service.

There are currently 6,500 lights installed province wide, with 35,000 slated to be changed out by March 2016.