About 60 customers are out of power this morning as Austin Energy crews repair two power poles on Manchaca Rd. near Stassney Ln. that were damaged by a serious car wreck early Saturday morning. Austin Police ask drivers to avoid the area. The road is expected to be shut down for about 7 hours as crews work and police officer investigate the accident.
The fatal car crash happened around 2:00 a. m. on Manchaca Rd. near Slaughter Ln. Austin Energy spokesperson Ed Clark said in press release that approximately 2,600 customers initially out of power.
"A serious vehicle accident occurred about 2:00 am this morning snapping one pole in half. The jolt cracked a second pole located on the other side of the road because of power, cable and other lines connecting the two. The accident left the lines across the road."
Most customers had power restored by 5:00 a. m. but Clark said the repairs would take most of the day to reconnect the other customers.
On another traffic note...
The Art City Austin 2011 festival is taking place on the South First Street Bridge and at City Hall. Artists will set up shop along street. Here is a map of the closures and these are additional streets in this area that will be closed off:
- Cesar Chavez
- Colorado
- Lavaca
- Guadalupe
- San Antonio
- South and North bound Mopac
- East bound Lake Austin Blvd.
The festival ends Sunday night. Kids are free. Adults pay, but festival organizers are offering a deal for cyclists:
In an effort to encourage alternate modes of transportation, free admission to the festival will be granted to those who ride their bikes to the event and use the bike valet located on the S. 1st Street Bridge.