I recently bought a nice used version of the 18-35 and had hopes that I'd be able to use as an all-around lens. The lens is very good if no pronounced light sources are in the images, and best at f/6.3 and 7.1 (diffraction softening starts to be noticeable at f/8).
Images processed in LR3 and Photomatix -- but ghost were present in individual images.
Here's a version shot a little earlier, where the ghosts aren't so contrasty againt opposite dark areas. (Sorry for the HDR artifact line above the hills.)
Those lights are very bright compared to the background. You are asking a lot from any lens, especially an inexpensive old wide zoom. Next time try shooting a bit earlier when the natural light is brighter or composite an earlier shot with one at night if the lights don't turn on soon enough.
EB-1 -- Thanks for the suggestion, but I've had no problems when shooting with my Canon L lenses, or the Nikon 12-24/4 DX. My lens isn't all that old according to Nikon serial #s. But I know it was made as the poor man's alternative to the 17-35/2.8.
Taking an earlier photo isn't really acceptable if you are trying to capture the colorful twilight lighting, at least from my experience. But I've taken pictures well after the sky has gone dark without such pronounced ghosts.
Here are a few other shots where there isn't such prominent distracting lights.
