The California Highway Patrol has closed the eastbound lanes of state Highway 4 in Hercules after a vehicle struck a telephone pole causing live wires to fall across the lanes and stop traffic.
The CHP issued a Sig-alert at 2:40 p.m. and estimate that eastbound lanes will reopen at around 7 p.m.
According to CHP Officer Peter Van Eckhardt, the downed wires were reported at 2:31 p.m. near the Franklin Canyon Golf Course in Hercules.
The driver of the vehicle that crashed into the pole was able to exit the vehicle safely before it was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters have extinguished the vehicle fire, Van Eckhardt said.
Eastbound traffic came to a stop after the crash and when CHP officers arrived on the scene they redirected traffic westbound, Van Eckhardt said.
PG&E and AT&T crews are both on the scene repairing the wires and telephone poles.
Eastbound traffic will be unable to use Highway 4 to get from Interstate Highway 80 to Interstate Highway 680 with the closure and will need to take Cummings Skyway instead, Van Eckhardt said.
Local
Motorists are advised to expect delays and to take alternate routes. A suggested detour is Eastbound I-80 to Cummings Skyway, turn right and continue on State Route 4.
