LEWISTON – The city’s switch to a voice over Internet protocol system continues today as the Public Works and Public Services departments get a new phone number.

Callers to the old 784-5753 number will be directed to the main public works number. That will be replaced in coming months by 513-3003.

“The old number will still work for a while, but I’m not sure how long,” said Public Services Director Dave Jones.

The city turned on the new VoIP system last Wednesday in Lewiston City Hall. Some calls from Time Warner telephone customers to the new 513 exchanges were misrouted initially, but those problems have been worked out.

The new system lets employees transfer callers to other departments without having to hang up.

The City Council approved upgrades to the city’s phone system in the 2007-08 capital improvements plan. It uses Voice over Internet Protocol, a computer code that uses fewer lines to connect more telephones more quickly. It will also let the city create direct-dialing extensions, letting people dial city departments directly instead of going through a switchboard.

The system also connects Lewiston’s municipal phone system to Auburn’s.

The conversion is costing the city roughly $270,000 for handsets, computers and software.

The Police Department is scheduled to be converted next week. The Fire Department and the library will move to the new system on Oct. 18.