A pair of PG&E power lines were brought down by a falling tree limb in Walnut Creek Thursday, energizing a nearby fence, scorching landscaping and plopping squarely across the BART tracks for their big finale – shutting down BART between Lafayette and Pleasant Hill.
Buses were called up to help ease the pain for mass transit riders caught between the affected stations as PG&E workers rushed to de-energize charged lines in the area of 2735 N. Main St. and unwrap them from the undercarriage of at least one train.
The lines came down a little after 6 p.m. Walnut Creek police quickly advised BART officials to shut down between Lafayette and Concord after it became clear they were still “hot.” A bus bridge was put in play but by then the damage was done.
Workers completed repairs to the line by 8:45 p.m. Thousands of frustrated riders, pushed to the limit of their endurance by high temperatures and at least one mendicant, aired their frustration via social media.
Had no idea this was going on. Wind up driving near the Lafayette BART station. What a mess and a mistake.
You mean you weren’t dialed in to NEWS24-680? The Horror!