YOSEMITE LAKES PARK – A cable TV line hanging too low over the road appears to be the cause of a road closure and power outage along North Dome in Yosemite Lakes Park this afternoon.
At about 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, a truck belonging to YRC Freight out of Fresno, was headed up North Dome from Ranger Circle, when the trailer of the rig caught on a cable TV line, pulling it along as it traveled up the road.
Northland Cable’s lines share the poles with PG&E lines, and as the cables were pulled tight by the movement of the truck, the tension on the line snapped a power pole, sending a transformer smashing to the ground, and knocking out power along the road.
North Dome was closed at Ranger Circle to all incoming traffic, and those attempting to exit the area were also turned around to await resolution of the problem.;
The YRC Freight truck was right in the middle of the road, and the downed power lines presented a danger to motorists until the power was shut down and the lines were cut.
CHP responding to the scene measured the height of the trailer and determined that it was within the height limits required.
PG&E and Northland Cable crews came out to deal with the tangle of lines and the smashed up transformer.
Power was also lost to the pumps at the water tanks where the incident occurred, so the Yosemite Lakes Park Utility Company was also on the scene.
North Dome was reopened to traffic at about 4:30 p.m. and crews continue to work to restore power and cable service to residents in the area.
