A driver struck a utility pole in Burnsville on Sunday, causing power outages and the closure of a busy roadway.
On Sunday afternoon, someone driving an SUV hit a power pole near Burnhaven Drive and County Road 42.
Burnsville officials have closed Country Road 42 from Interstate 35W to County Road 5 because of the downed power lines.
“We’re expecting County Road 42 to be shut down for a number of hours,” Burnsville Fire Chief BJ Jungmann said.
Wires remained on the road as of 4:40 p.m., Jungmann said. Some nearby buildings were evacuated. Many businesses also had to close for the day due to the power outage the crash caused, he said.
Power outages at nearby intersections were affecting traffic lights, causing additional traffic in the area.
“It’s definitely put a strain on area roadways, and there’s definitely a backup,” Jungmann said. “Avoiding the area is the safest thing to do.”
Electrical crews were on scene Sunday to try to reopen the road and restore power.
