Downed Power Lines Cause Traffic Chaos On Highway 101 Near SFO

MILLBRAE (CBS SF) -- UPDATE: Highway 101 reopens Saturday afternoon.

Highway 101 is closed in both directions near San Francisco International Airport Friday night after a crash involving a tractor trailer brought down power lines across the freeway.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the tractor trailer struck a power pole near the Broadway interchange in Burlingame around 9:30 p.m., bringing down the high voltage lines.

The CHP has diverted northbound traffic at Anza Boulevard in Burlingame and southbound traffic at Millbrae Avenue. The freeway is expected to remain closed through at least 4:00 a.m Saturday morning. In the meantime, motorists are being asked to take alternate routes.

KPIX 5 reporter Andria Borba posted these pictures on Twitter of the backup. Motorists parked and stood outside their vehicles as they waited for the road to reopen.

The San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services advises drivers who are on the freeway near the power lines to stay in their vehicles until advised by the fire department.

PG&E told KPIX 5 that the incident led to a power surge. Customers in San Francisco and on the Peninsula tweeted about the surge.

The surge also caused the scoreboard at AT&T Park to flicker during Friday night's Giants game against the Cardinals.

PG&E said there are no power outages associated with the crash or power surge.

In:
• Highway 101