Downed wires shut down I-94 in Waukesha County
I-94 was shut down at Maple Ave. in Waukesha County Thursday afternoon after a downed utility wire damaged power equipment belonging to We Energies, officials said.
A truck is believed to have clipped either a cable or a telecom wire about 3:30 p.m., We Energies spokesman Barry McNulty said.
The wire then wrapped itself around a neutral ground wire belonging to the power company and the tension on the ground wire broke a cross arm on a utility pole, McNulty said.
Eastbound traffic was backed up three miles, the Department of Transportation said.
Westbound motorists were being diverted at Exit SS north to Golf Road, west to State Highway 83, and then south back to I-94.
Eastbound motorists were being diverted to Highway 83, then north to Golf Road, east to County Highway SS, and then south back to I-94.
Work crews are repairing the damaged line and the roadway is expected to be reopened by 5:30 p.m. this afternoon, the department said.