West Georgia reopens but Burrard still closed after collision in downtown Vancouver
Car struck lamp pole which then fell onto live trolley lines
West Georgia Street has reopened after a car crash shut down one of the busiest intersections in downtown Vancouver on Friday morning.
Several blocks around the intersection of Burrard Street and West Georgia Street were closed after an SUV hit a lamp pole, which then fell onto some live trolley wires at around 4 a.m. PT.
There were four people in the vehicle that struck the power pole, but no one was injured, witnesses said. But the power lines got tangled in the trolley wires, prompting the closure because of safety concerns.
"With the trolley lines, they're dangerous because they're energized in both ways," said Captain Craig Lanthier with Vancouver Fire Rescue, who helped secure the road closure.
"We have it shut down for everybody's safety in the city right now."
A crew is currently trying to lift the pole off the trolley lines.
Cars are now able to travel east and westbound along West Georgia at Burrard. But traffic is still heavy <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCTraffic">@CBCTraffic</a> <a href="https://t.co/jvzHk8i3zC">pic.twitter.com/jvzHk8i3zC</a>
—@FarrahMeraliMorning commute affected
The closure jammed the morning commute for cars and buses but sidewalks remained open for pedestrians in the area.
While West Georgia Street reopened in both directions at 9 a.m., Burrard Street is expected to remain closed between West Georgia and Robson Streets until about 3 p.m. PT.
In the meantime Burrard Street traffic is having to use Hornby, Howe and Thurlow streets.
TransLink says a number of buses are detouring around the area including the #2, #5 and #19 and #44 routes that would normally use Burrard Street.
With files from G.P. Mendoza and Farrah Merali