SHARE THIS

A utility pole located at the corner of 5th and Center Streets was broken in two by a Schneider tractor trailer traveling through the residential area of the borough at about 1:45 p.m. this afternoon. I was notified about 15 minutes later and went to the scene.

The pole was broken off approximately 8′ up from the ground, with the upper section of the pole coming to rest straight up, held in place by the wires connected to it.

I spoke with the driver, who said she was on her way to make a delivery on Adamson Street in the business district, and had become lost.

As she made a right onto Center Street from 5th Street, her tanker trailer connected with the utility pole. She eventually ended her travel on Keystone Avenue where she waited for PSP to respond.

A member from Safety First Volunteer Fire Company responded to the area and stood by to monitor the situation, until it was secured by Met-Ed and street barriers put in place.

Brandon Moffit, our part-time road worker, who was recently brought back to work during his college winter break, set up the warning barriers around a one block perimeter of the intersection. Road Supervisor Dane Thatcher is currently on vacation.

Met-Ed is on the scene and surprisingly no power outages occurred from the collision, though there will likely be some outages when they begin replacing the pole.

According to the Med-Ed worker I spoke with, they will be working through the night to replace the broken pole and transfer the numerous lines and light fixture to the new pole.

Following her interview with a PSP Trooper, the driver was allowed to make her way back to Adamson Street.

UPDATE 12/28: A temporary repair has been made with a replacement pole put in place and the broken pole secured to it. The streets are now open to traffic.