The highway was completely shut down for about an hour beginning around 11 a.m. when an excavation crew knocked down a power pole on Hembree Lane parallel to the highway, causing power and phone lines to droop across lanes of traffic.
Oversize vehicles such as big-rigs and motor homes were unable to pass through the area.
Traffic was diverted onto Old Redwood Highway. Early Thursday afternoon, one lane was reopened in each direction and traffic was moving slowly through the area. All lanes opened at 1:57 p.m.
