I-90 closes twice after power lines downed

Police are investigating a construction incident on Interstate 90 in Elyria where downed power lines stopped traffic about 8 a.m. July 24.

According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, the power lines fell on the highway between state Route 254 and state Route 58.

Traffic was stopped both eastbound and westbound, but both directions were reopened after 9 a.m.

Kaitlyn Maynard, public information officer for ODOT District 3, said crews would work with the Ohio Highway Patrol and Ohio Edison to repair the lines, which led to further delays later in the day.

According to a news release from the Elyria Police Department, the line was taken down by a construction crew about 7:51 a.m. on the eastbound lane on the state Route 57 interchange.

The Elyria Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the damage, the release said.

Both directions of traffic closed at noon for about two hours for repairs. Drivers were advised to avoid the area, but traffic began to flow normally around 1:15 p.m.

Mark H. Durbin, manager of state communications for Ohio Edison, said in an email that it was not the company’s crews that caused the initial shutdown.

“Once that bridge construction work caused the power lines to be brought down, the Ohio Edison crews responded to make repairs in a safe manner,” Durbin said. “We fixed the problem, but did not cause it. Just want that to be clear.”

“We fixed the problem, but did not cause it. Just want that to be clear.” — Mark H. Durbin, manager of state communications for Ohio Edison