Downed powerlines at Barrenjoey Road, Newport, caused hours of traffic chaos today.
At 10.08am today (Friday, 12 February), an oversized semi-trailer carrying a large construction pile driver made contact with overhead powerlines at the top of Newport Hill, pulling down live electrical wires across six lanes of traffic and causing a power pole to fall.
Fiona Vescio from Bilgola Plateau was driving home from dropping children to school at Mona Vale when the incident unfolded right in front of her.
“I witnessed a power pole crash across the road right in front of me. It made a huge boom and fireball. It all happened so fast. Thankfully, no cars got hit. It was very surreal. My husband is an electrician, so I know first hand how powerful electricity is. The boom and fireball spark it made was massive and lasted for a few seconds as the pole hit the road,” said Mrs Vescio.
The Transport Management Centre confirmed the truck had made contact with the wires, and Mrs Vescio said the pole took a few moments longer to fall after that contact had been made.
“I saw the oversized truck pull over and the driver get out of the cab. He must have collected the low hanging powerlines, and then the pole was swaying and crashed on the road,” said Mrs Vescio.
“I was heading towards Avalon. The truck pulled over towards Mona Vale. I was three to four cars behind the falling pole. I did a U-turn to get away as I was worried. I turned at the Smile Dr dentist and went through Crescent Road to head back home,” said Mrs Vescio.
The incident occurred at a traffic pinch point, with Crescent Road the only alternate way vehicles can pass between Newport and Mona Vale. Traffic was banked back a kilometre in both directions as six lanes of traffic were diverted via a quiet suburban street. Buses were unable to pass the location, forcing northbound buses to terminate at Mona Vale until around midday.
Emergency services, including NSW Police, Fire and Rescue NSW and Ausgrid, attended the scene. Power remains disrupted to Newport between Philip Road and Beaconsfield Street at 1.00pm.
The Transport Management Centre had warned people to expect significant delays in the area. Just before midday, all southbound lanes of Barrenjoey Road were reopened, along with one northbound lane. By 1.00pm, traffic in the area had eased but motorists and public transport travellers are advised to allow extra time.
Images: Fiona Vescio, Joy Gough, Kylie Ferguson
