The driver of a truck that snagged overhead utility lines in the 2700 block of Albert Pike Road Thursday evening, blocking the entire highway and causing traffic to back up for miles along Albert Pike and the King Expressway, was cited by the state Highway Police, Hot Springs police said.
Dispatchers received a call at 5:16 p.m. about a traffic incident that had pulled down utility lines across Albert Pike. Officers said the truck’s load snagged the lines and pulled them down onto the road. They said the truck was carrying an oversized load.
Arkansas State Police worked to divert the traffic, one lane at a time, through a parking lot on the north side of Albert Pike. The traffic disruption occurred as a heavy rain was falling in the area.
No injuries were reported.
Entergy Arkansas said it learned of the incident at 4:45 p.m. The downed wires were cable TV and fiber optic lines. Entergy said its crews stabilized power in the area, so there was no disruption to electrical service.
Traffic attempting to exit the expressway onto the westbound lanes of Albert Pike was backed up well past the Airport Road interchange, and westbound traffic on Albert Pike was reportedly backed up for over 2 miles.
The police department said the road was reopened at 11:44 p.m.
