posted 02/27/12 02:55 PM | updated 02/27/12 03:10 PM
Views: 5071 | Comments : 14 | News, etc.

Dump truck takes out Metro wires at Broadway/Madison

By jseattle
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Traffic was blocked in all directions Monday afternoon after a dump truck reportedly knocked down Metro's electric trolley wiring at Broadway and Madison.

A large truck could be seen sitting just north of the intersection as work crews set about figuring out how to clear the intersection and get traffic moving again.

Metro buses were pulled to the curb full of riders on streets leading to the intersection. SPD blocked the road and directed traffic to swelling side streets across the area.

It wasn't immediately clear how the big rip ended up ripping down the wires though one early report indicated that its dump bin may have been in a raised position when the incident occurred. 

The uninjured driver remained stuck in the cab as wires hung down over the truck and response crews worked to render the area safe.

SPD summoned a "drug recognition expert" to the scene.

Workers at the scene said there is no ETA for re-opening the intersection.

3:21PM - Power remains on in the area and still has not been cut to the lines involved in the incident.
3:51PM - From Metro: "Routes 2, 9, 10, 12, 49 & 60 are experiencing delays in both
directions due to downed wires on E Madison St at Broadway."
3:53PM - The driver was removed from the cab about an hour after the incident to be interviewed by police at the scene.
3:59PM - UPDATE - Just in from Metro: "The Trolley Crew says the truck caused extensive damage to the overhead system. Will take several hours to repair, and probably last through the evening commute."

We're told that the crew could have things in condition to allow traffic through sooner but the overall job to get buses moving again is a big one.

In the meantime, there is no information yet on bus re-routes for the area.
Below, the driver (yellow safety jacket) surveys the damage with SPD.
4:29PM - From Metro:
  • Route 49 is temporarily rerouted off of Broadway in both directions due to downed wires. Route 49 is using 43 wire from 15 Ave E & E John St to the University District.
  • Route 2 is temporarily rerouted off of Seneca St & E Union St in both directions due to downed wires.
  • Route 2 is rerouted via 9 Av to Jefferson st and follows Rt 3 routing via Jefferson St to Madrona in both directions.
4:38PM - UPDATE - Metro provided this update of their system outage:
Power outage boundaries for Metro:

Madison St: Extends from Boren Ave on the west to 17th Ave E (both directions).
Seneca St/Union St: Extends from Minor Ave on the west to 16th Ave E (both directions)
Broadway Ave: Extends from Cherry St on the south to Garfield St on the north.

Routes affected: 9, 2, 12, 49, 60

Rt 9: Operating via Boren Ave - Seneca St/Union St - Broadway (both directions)
Rt 2: Operating via 9th Ave -Jefferson St - (via Rt 3 wire to 33rd Ave E/E Cherry St both directions)
Rt 12: Turning southbound coaches back at 6th Ave & Madison St
Rt 49: Southbound operating via the Rt 43 wire. Northbound operating via Pine St to 15th Ave E to E Thomas St -via Rt 43 wire.
Rt 60: Operating via Boren Ave - Seneca St - Union St-Broadway (both directions)

Reroute details are being sent out to Transit Alert subscribers. A few diesel coaches have been found and are being used on the 2, 12, & 49. Hoping to get more diesels to make the detours shorter, but hard to find extras during rush hour.
5:38PM - Metro says repairs might take some jury rigging. "We have found several switches and curve sections damaged beyond repair and are building new sections to reinstall. We believe we have all the parts needed, if not we will rig up something temporary to restore service. All wires are de-energized and no electrical hazards to the public exist."
8:18PM - UPDATE - The most recent updates from Metro:
  • 6:28p: Route 49 has returned to regular route on Broadway in both directions.
  • 7:04p: Route 12 continues to turn back at 6 Av & Madison St. To continue service to Interlaken Park please transfer to Rt 12 shuttle at Madison St & 6 Av. Shuttles are serving regular stops on E Madison St east of 12 Av.
  • 7:40p: Route 2 has returned to regular route to Madrona in both directions.
8:22PM - UPDATE - SPD has posted an item about their involvement at Broadway/Madison. According to the update, expect the intersection to be closed into Tuesday morning:
On February 27th at approximately 2:25 p.m. a northbound dump truck caught the overhead trolley lines while passing through the intersection of Broadway Avenue and East Madison Street, causing extensive damage. The damage required the closure of the intersection and all the streets one block in each direction due to the hazard from the live wires that were down.

Seattle Police patrol officers and parking enforcement officers will be manning traffic control posts until the scene is rendered safe. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic is being re-routed away from the intersection.

The road closures will be in effect until at least 2:00 a.m. while Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle City Light, and Metro Transit crews address the downed wires and other damage.
6:46AM - UPDATE - Our Tuesday update on the situation is here.
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"drug recognition expert"
great...
Comment by andrewgd
2 months ago
Driver malfunction
I was approaching the crosswalk just as this happened. In fact, I was already watching the truck because its RAISED dump bin was knocking down bits of tree branches on my head. So, I can't say I was entirely surprised when the driver wiped out the lines.
Nor was I surprised that the driver's reaction was to just slow down and keep pulling the truck forward, in an effort to yank the tangled wires free from the rig.
Comment by Holly
2 months ago
RE: Driver malfunction
Sounds like a "drug recognition expert" is not a bad idea.
Comment by Rod
2 months ago
RE: Driver malfunction
Amazing how one idiot can wreck so many people's day.
Comment by M3
2 months ago
Thanks
Checked Komo and SeattleTimes.com to try to figure out what this was about, but they didn't have a story. CHS comes through once again.
I detoured around this at 5:10pm; took a while since Broadway+Madison is such a major intersection. They had Metro trucks pushing some of the buses uphill.
Comment by Patrick
2 months ago
comment
Federal law requires the driver who possess a commercial drivers licence to be drug tested when in an accident like this. I do not know why SPD would bring in a drug recognition expert notify his employer and send him in for testing. It must be if they cannot shoot someone they do not know the laws.
Comment by sean
2 months ago
RE: comment
One has nothing to do with e other, the police are building a case for his possible arrest and trial, calling his boss ain't going to do much to help that.
Comment by A neighbor
2 months ago
RE: comment
So they can establish probable cause to arrest him if he has committed a crime. Criminal law vs. his issues with his employer.
Comment by del
2 months ago
Dump truck rips down trolley wires
This is a perfect example of why it's so important for trolley coaches to have 'off-wire' ability. If this happened in Philadelphia, the trolley coach operator would flip a dashboard switch and the trolley poles would automatically lower. Another dashboard switch would instantly turn on the auxhiliary Diesel engine. Off the coach would go on a detour around the intersection in question. Philadelphia's transit system doesn't even bother to station a supervisor at a location like that. The control center would radio the trolley coach operators with instructions on a detour route. No delay in service or inconvenience to riders would occur.

When Seattle METRO orders its new fleet of trolley coaches, it is imperative that they have 'off-wire' ability and automatic trolley poles.
Comment by Transit Jeff
2 months ago
RE: Dump truck rips down trolley wires
Or at least some way to store the electricty to give it time to move the bus to a safe place and stop blocking traffic. 10th Ave E sucked. Had to weave around 3 busses by driving on the left side of the road along a curvy road where you can't see oncoming traffic.
Comment by AsherCapHill
2 months ago
RE: Dump truck rips down trolley wires
Yeah, let's outfit them all with expensive secondary systems that need maintenance in the off chance a jackass dump truck driver pulls the wires down. We'll use all that surplus money metro has!
Comment by A neighbor
2 months ago
RE: Dump truck rips down trolley wires
So tired of hearing "If this happened in.." This isn't Philadelphia, or any other city, sorry. You're free to go back.
Comment by ej
2 months ago
RE: Dump truck rips down trolley wires
When Metro replaces the trolleys in 2014 they will have off-wire capabilities. It will almost certainly be a battery, not an auxiliary diesel.

Metro alternatives evaluation: http://metro.kingcounty.gov/up/projects/trolleyevaluation.ht
KC Council approved: http://www.kingcounty.gov/council/news/2011/November/LP_budg
Comment by David
2 months ago
RE: Truck rips down trolley wires
To: A neighbor.....auxiliary power systems need not be expensive. All it takes is a small Diesel engine to generate the power. It's not a completely seperate, expensive power plant. The 'off-wire' feature is used for many things, not just a truck tearing the overhead wires down. They can be used in case of blockages caused by a fire, police activity, a parade, a sewer or water main job, street construction, wire work, etc. They give an electric trolley coach all of the flexibility of a Diesel bus.

To: ej........I live in New Jersey, always have {so I don't need to go back}. But I once did visit Seattle back in the 1970's.....great town. I envy you your hydro-electric generating system.

To: David......the battery EPU will not offer the range of the Diesel auxiliary engine. SEPTA in Philly uses the Diesel EPU several times a day, in some cases. Batteries need to be recharged. The Diesel EPU can be used multiple times for many reasons.
Comment by Transit Jeff
2 months ago