U.S. Route 322 reopened near Philipsburg after daylong closure for downed utility poles
U.S. Route 322 in Decatur Township, Clearfield County, was closed for most of the day Tuesday due to downed utility poles.
More than 100 area residents were also without power Tuesday while crews worked to clear the scene at the intersection of Route 322 and Irwin Drive, near the Taco Bell on the way into Philipsburg.
Both lanes of Route 322 were closed between Bigler and the Route 53 intersection with Philipsburg. The closure was in place from about 8:30 a.m. through 7 p.m.
Following the reopening of the road, PennDOT said in a news release that the traffic signal at Irwin Drive in Philipsburg is still not operational. Until the signal is repaired, a four-way stop is in place at Irwin Drive and Route 322.
It’s unclear what caused the damage, which followed a night of freezing rain across the region. PennDOT Press Officer Marla Fannin said it was not related to the Yankee Dryer super load that arrived at First Quality Tissue in Lock Haven Monday after a nine-county journey through Pennsylvania. The super load departed Saturday from the Bigler intersection on Route 322 and moved through the Philipsburg area.
While the Hope Fire Company originally posted on its Facebook page that a truck possibly came in contact with low-hanging wire and pulled down the poles and traffic lights, witness accounts contradicted that initial report, the fire company said.
This story was originally published December 17, 2019 at 9:26 AM.
