Part of I-85 is closed in both directions due to a snapped power pole on Wednesday morning – and police say the impacts will last into the morning commute.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, a significant incident unfolded in northern Durham, resulting in the closure of a major thoroughfare. The disruption stems from a snapped power pole, creating complications that are expected to extend into the morning commute for local residents. Alongside the pole issue, there was a blown transformer, intensifying the impact by leaving approximately 100 Duke Energy customers without power as they woke up to the unexpected outage.
The affected area encompasses Cole Mill Road, which is now inaccessible between Hillsborough Road and I-85. This closure poses an inconvenience to commuters and residents relying on this route for their daily travels. The magnitude of the situation is further underscored by the projected timeline for power restoration, with Duke Energy estimating that services will not be fully reinstated until at least 3 p.m.
The exact cause of the damage to the power pole and subsequent transformer failure remains uncertain. Authorities are actively investigating the incident to determine the root cause of these disruptions. The closure of such a crucial roadway, coupled with the power outage, underscores the broader implications for both transportation and the affected residents who rely on an uninterrupted power supply for their daily activities.
Local law enforcement and utility crews are working diligently to address the aftermath of this incident. In the meantime, residents and commuters are advised to stay informed about updates on road closures, power restoration progress, and any additional information related to the ongoing investigation. As the community grapples with the consequences of this unexpected event, cooperation and patience are paramount to navigate the challenges posed by the road closure and power outage.