Breakaway poles placed in medians should not be closer than 2/5 of the mounting height from either main lane edge. Breakaway poles should not be placed in medians less than 30 feet wide, except as noted in the following paragraph.

Median lighting in narrow medians should be avoided. If no other alternative is possible, an exception may be made for divided city streets with curbed medians, speed limit of 45 MPH or less, and where pedestrian traffic allows the use of breakaway poles. In this situation, breakaway poles may be used if placed at least 2.5 feet from any curb face, the pole height should not exceed 30 feet and pole mast arm lengths should not exceed 4 feet. Light poles should not be installed in urban median areas less than 30 feet wide if any other design is practical.

The turning lane of a divided city street may be included as part of the median width when determining the falling area. Remember, though, 2.5 feet offset from curb face should be maintained.

Breakaway poles placed in city street medians should also be placed at least one mounting height back from the end of the median at intersections.

Non-breakaway poles should not be placed in medians unless properly protected.