Downed power line causes rush-hour delays
A downed high-voltage power line on one the metro region’s busiest thoroughfares caused delays over the rush hour on Monday evening.
At about 4:15 p.m. emergency crews were called to Topsail Road, just west of Burgeo Street, after a high-voltage power line broke free from a utility pole, falling to the ground. The live wire prompted the St. John’s Regional Fire Department and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary to set up a perimeter a safe distance from the fallen live wire. Pedestrians were instructed to stay several dozen metres from the area, and motorists were detoured through a nearby parking lot.
At about 6:00 p.m. crews with Newfoundland Power were able to cut power to the downed line, making the area safe once again. The road remained closed for some time as personnel worked to replace the damaged power lines.
