Electrical crews work feverously to repair downed transmission line

SHELLEY:  As of 10 o’clock this evening, Rocky Mountain Power crews are still working to fix the down power line that has blocked US Highway 91 and the railroad for more than six hours.

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At approximately 3:55 pm, June 28, a Rocky Mountain transmission line fell onto US Highway 91 just south of 1100 North, 2 miles south of Shelley blocking both lanes of traffic and shutting down the Union Pacific Railroad’s Montana line.

Bingham County Sheriff’s Department immediately blocked off the highway at 1000 and 1100 North and had traffic detour east to 800 East.  Unfortunately, the Union Pacific Railroad has had traffic stopped on it until the line is repaired.

Community Pioneer reached out to Timothy Solomon regional Director of Rocky Mountain Power.  He said, “We have no idea what caused the line to fail at this time. We will initiate an investigation into the cause of its failure once the line is repaired.”

One of three lines along the 115kv transmission line disconnected from the insulators and fell on the highway.  The transmission line is one of many that flow from the Goshen Substation to various areas throughout the Rocky Mountain power grid.  As of 10 pm, Rocky Mountain reported approximately 500 customers were without power.