Downed power line closes expressway for 12 hours
MISSION — A portion of Expressway 83 remained closed during Wednesday morning rush hour as crews repaired a damaged utility pole and downed power line resulting from a crash the night before.
The collision happened about 11:20 p.m. Tuesday, when a vehicle traveling along the expressway between Inspiration Road and Conway Avenue struck the utility pole, causing the power lines to dangle lower than normal.
Minutes later, a tractor-trailer barreling down the highway plowed through the lowered lines, which spanned all lanes of traffic, said Sgt. Jody Tittle, a Mission police spokesman. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
However, the roadway hazard prompted officials to shut down all lanes of the expressway between Bryan and Inspiration roads until 11 a.m. Wednesday while AEP Texas crews completed the necessary repairs, said company spokesman Mauro Solis. No customers lost power because of the damaged equipment.
The impromptu detour clogged rush hour traffic in both directions Wednesday morning, causing delays that reportedly lasted more than an hour. Eastbound traffic backed up as much as three miles at one point, to Farm-to-Market Road 492 in Palmview.
Local officials had no estimate of how many motorists were delayed because of the closure.
"We dodged the bullet," Solis said. "I guess it was just some inconvenience for the travelers this morning."
