Street lights turned off to save money

CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) - In an effort to cut down on electricity costs, the City of Cranston will be turning off streetlights.

Officials said within the next six weeks they would be shutting off every third streetlight. The move would help reduce costs after the city council imposed budget cuts.

The city is bracing for a nearly 13 million dollar cut in state aid. Officials are also looking to permanently eliminate some lights on state road within the city limits.

“We get hit twice for every street light, once for the electrical cost and the then for the monthly rental. So simply reducing the number of hours that we leave each light on isn’t enough. We must eliminate some to alleviate the rental cost,” said Mayor Allan Fung.

Areas will high traffic volumes and major intersections will have a relaxed policy. School buildings will be exempt.