Victoria has begun installing new heritage-styled lampposts on downtown sidewalks.

The new lights, designed to resemble lighting in Victoria at the turn of the century, are a hybrid of a street light and the familiar blue cluster lamps. At the top of each post is an ornamental street light, with four cluster lights below.

The new lampposts will replace existing lamps and street lights on Government Street between Belleville and Yates streets. Ten lamps are scheduled to be installed north of Humboldt before the holidays and another 10 are slated to be installed between Belleville and Humboldt in January.

An additional 10 lamps are planned to complete the $185,000 project in the new year. The Heritage Legacy Fund of B.C. is contributing $25,000.