Underground cable shorts out, leaving several downtown businesses without power
By Iva Butler | (ivab@thedailytimes.com)
A primary underground cable in downtown Maryville shorted
out this morning between Washington Street and Bradley’s Body Shop, leaving area businesses without
power.
Maryville Electric Department Assistant Engineer Steve Martin said
he got the call that the power was out at 5:50 a.m. today.
At that time the
traffic light at Washington and Broadway was out and the dialysis clinic and beauty shop between
Broadway and East Harper Avenue were without power. That power has since been
restored.
Still without electricity are businesses between Blount Chamber
of Commerce and Zoomerz gas station. This includes Washington Cleaners, Full Service BBQ and
Walnut Square. Sew and Vac on Broadway is also powerless.
The cable goes
through an underground pipe along the side of East Broadway. When it shorts out the fuse blows and
the power is killed on the line, Martin explained.
The old cable has been
removed and workers at noon were installing a new primary line.
Martin
hopes to have power back on by 3 or 4 p.m. today.
