power lines

Tractor Trailer Brings Down Power Lines in Ballston, Driver Trapped

By Samantha Moore
1/10

A FedEx tractor trailer pulled down some low-hanging power lines in the Ballston area Thursday evening, trapping the driver in the cab of the truck.

The accident happened just before 3:30 p.m., near the intersection of 13th Street N. and N. Stuart Street.

The top of the truck clipped some power lines as it was driving down the street, pulling them down and draping them across the semi-trailer. The lines were reported to be sparking on the road immediately afterward.

Though the driver was not physically trapped, he remained in the cab of the truck for fear of electrocution.

Arlington County police and firefighters responded to the scene, closing down roads and sidewalks while they waited for Dominion to shut off the power.

The driver was still in the cab when an ARLnow photographer left the scene, around 4 p.m.

Dominion reports that seven customers in the neighborhood are without power. Their electricity is expected to be restored between 7-11 p.m., according to Dominion’s website.

S. Joyce Street Closed Due to Downed Tree

By ARLnow.com
1/3

A road is closed in the Arlington Ridge neighborhood due to a downed tree and power lines.

The large tree fell this afternoon during calm weather, taking power and utility lines down with it. Thirty-five Dominion customers are without power in the area, according to the power company.

A Dominion repair crew is on scene, but the intersection of S. Joyce Street and 28th Street S., near Glebe Road, is closed. The tree and numerous wires are down in the intersection.

Construction Vehicle Brings Down Power Lines Near Virginia Square

By Jackie Friedman
1/2

(Updated at 2:40 p.m.) A construction vehicle is currently draped with downed power lines near Virginia Square.

The incident occurred shortly before noon at 3700 6th Road N. as the truck was being hauled through the Ashton Heights neighborhood.

Firefighters and police were called to the scene and currently have the sidewalk and the road closed for safety, as the lines were believed to be live electrical lines.

No injures were reported, but at least one neighboring home was reportedly damaged.

Lights Out Along Washington Blvd Due to Fallen Tree

By Heather Mongilio
1/6

Lights are dark along Washington Blvd in Ballston after a tree fell, pulling power lines down.

A large tree fell across N. Stuart Street, bringing power lines down and causing a power outage. N. Stuart Street is currently closed to traffic.

Power is currently out from N. Stafford Street to N. Glebe Road. Police officers are directing traffic at the intersection of N. Glebe Road and Washington Blvd.

Dominion is reporting 188 customers out of service, with an estimated restoration time between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. Washington-Lee High School is also out of power, according to a police officer working security at the school.

Downed Wires on S. George Mason Close Off Road

By Heather Mongilio

Wires down on S. George MasonS. George Mason Dr. is closed off starting at S. Columbus Street due to downed wires.

As of 4:30 this afternoon, multiple power lines were down, including one that stretched across S. George Mason. Residents were standing outside their homes watching crews work to restore power.

Traffic lights at S. Columbus Streets were also dark due to the power outage.

As of press time, the cause of the downed wires had not been determined. Dominion Electric is currently reporting that 50 customers are out of power in the area due to a broken pole.

The company predicts power will be restored between 7-9 p.m. tonight.

Traffic Lights Dark at Lee Highway and Glebe Road

By Heather Mongilio
1/4

Police are helping to direct traffic at the busy intersection of Lee Highway and Glebe Road due to a problem with the traffic lights.

The lights are dark after a wire disconnected from the transformer by the Wells Fargo bank. Scanner traffic reported that the wire was brought down by a passing truck.

Police set up cones and were directing traffic while crews reconnected the wire and worked to get the traffic signals working again. Traffic lights in all four directions were affected.

Truck Takes Down Power Lines in North Arlington

By Katie Pyzyk

An accident on N. Taylor Street in Cherrydale has left power lines strewn across a quiet residential block. Police, firefighters and Dominion Power are all on the scene.

An officer at the scene said it appears a tall moving truck had become caught on low hanging wires over the street, but didn’t realize it and kept driving. The wires came down, along with a power pole which held a transformer.

There are currently wires in the street, across sidewalks and in people’s yards. The lines are no longer live, and crews are working to move them. Nobody was hurt in the incident

Seventy-six customers were without power for about an hour and a half. Right now, only 10 are still without power. Dominion Power spokeswoman Le-Ha Anderson said those without electricity are the ones closest to the downed transformer, and power should be restored somewhere between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Crews are bringing in a new power pole and transformer to be installed, hopefully also by 6:00 p.m.

Taylor Street remains closed between 15th and 16th Streets. Arlington County police will stay on the scene to direct traffic until the road re-opens.

1/6

Contract Awarded for Cherrydale Utility Work

By Katie Pyzyk

The Arlington County Board has approved a $1.2 million contract to finish the utility undergrounding effort along Lee Highway, as part of the Cherrydale Lee Highway Revitalization Project.

The contract for the final phase of the ongoing effort was awarded to Trafford Corporation. The first phase of the project, which includes removing overhead electrical lines from I-66 to N. Monroe St, is in its final stages.

When the project is finished late next year, Lee Highway will no longer have power lines dangling overhead from I-66 to N. Quincy St. This is one of the first utility undergrounding projects the County has undertaken.

This part of the neighborhood revitalization project has been in the works for years and has suffered from numerous delays. Some of the challenges have included avoiding interference with existing utilities under the roadway, working around private properties, and dealing with unforeseen circumstances such as utility crews being sent to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

Following the completion of the undergrounding, the County plans to go forward with the remainder of the Cherrydale Lee Highway Revitalization Project. That involves restarting the planning and construction on other aesthetic and pedestrian safety improvements. Right now, that’s anticipated to be finished sometime in 2014.

EB Lee Highway Shut Down Due to Downed Power Line

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 8:30 a.m.) Both lanes of eastbound Lee Highway have been closed at George Mason Drive this morning.

The closure is due to power lines that were knocked down by a tractor trailer, according to police spokeswoman Det. Crystal Nosal. Dominion is on the scene and expects to have the lines repaired by 10:30 a.m. More than 150 Dominion customers are without power in the area due to the downed lines.

Eastbound Lee Highway traffic is being diverted onto southbound George Mason Drive. Cars are not being allowed to turn left at the intersection, to ensure that traffic moves smoothly through the area.

Courtesy photo

Truck Knocks Down Power Lines on S. Frederick Street

By ARLnow.com

South Frederick Street has been shut down between Columbia Pike and 10th Street S. after a truck knocked down a utility pole and became entangled in power lines.

A garbage truck reportedly knocked down the pole just after 3:00 p.m. today. The road will be closed for awhile to allow crews time to clean up the broken pole and a tangle of wires.

High Winds Cause Havoc Across Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Numerous reports of downed power lines, toppled trees, dislodged traffic signs and blowing debris are coming in.

Among the reports we’re following right now:

  • Downed power line on Four Mile Run Drive at George Mason Drive. Traffic is being diverted. Dominion is on the scene.
  • Large tree down at 3700 North Harrison Street
  • Awnings dislodged and glass broken at 3100 Clarendon Boulevard
  • Compromised roof at 1300 South Arlington Ridge Road
  • Updated at 5:05 pm. — Large tree down at 17th Street and North Utah Street
  • Updated at 5:05 pm. — Wires down at 23rd Street North and George Mason Drive
  • Updated at 5:05 pm. — Tree down at George Mason Drive and Four Mile Run Drive
  • Updated at 5:05 pm. — Dominion is reporting 1,368 customers without power in Arlington
  • Updated at 5:10 pm. — Wires down at 18th Street and South Edgewood Street
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