AUBURN – A tractor-trailer that knocked down a traffic light Wednesday morning left police and drivers with a traffic mess that lasted into the night.
Police spent the entire day at Court Street and Minot Avenue directing traffic through one of the city’s busiest intersections.
By nightfall, traffic lights were still out at the intersection between Auburn Savings Bank and Denny’s restaurant. Police set up traffic cones and barricades, and drivers were unable to turn left from Minot Avenue toward Goff Hill.
No one was hurt in the wreck, but damage to the traffic control system was estimated at $15,000. Traffic lights were expected to remain out at least overnight while repair crews prepared to put in a new pole and fix the damage to the light system.
Police said Scott H. Doquesnel, 21, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., was driving east on Court Street about 10:40 a.m. when the rear of his rig struck the light pole and sent it crashing into the street. The pole had been on the corner in front of Auburn Savings Bank.
Doquesnel was driving the empty rig for Oklahoma trucking company Swift Transport Co. Damage to the 2002 Freightliner was minor, estimated at about $200.
Almost immediately, however, traffic began to snarl in all directions. Police officers working in hot, humid weather attempted to directed cars and trucks on Court Street, Minot Avenue and Union Street Bypass, which meet at the intersection.
The havoc was increased later in the day when heavy commuter traffic swarmed toward the intersection around supper time. Police said several people drove around traffic cones and barricades to avoid taking longer detours.
By dark, the barricades remained in the intersection and flashing red lights greeted drivers traveling through the area. It was unknown when the problem would be fixed.
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