A dump truck being used as part of a project to replace a water main on Eustis Parkway in Waterville hit a utility pole Monday afternoon, knocking out power to 2,600 Central Maine Power Co. customers. Amy Calder/Morning Sentinel
WATERVILLE — A dump truck being used as part of a project to replace a water main on Eustis Parkway hit a utility pole Monday afternoon, knocking out power to 2,600 Central Maine Power Co. customers.
The truck struck the pole at 20 Eustis Parkway, near Main Street, just before 1 p.m., snapping it in two, and a portion of the pole fell across the back of the truck.
The truck’s driver remained inside the cab until workers could ensure the lines were safe, according to David Phifer, a CMP regional manager who was at the scene.
“We treat every line as energized until we can ensure that it’s deenergized,” Phifer said.
He said power was out from Eustis Parkway to Water Street in the city’s South End, and the outage included part of downtown. Power was expected to be restored by later Monday afternoon, he said.
The truck was headed west on Eustis Parkway when it hit the pole, according to Officer Rob Bouley of the Waterville Police Department, who was investigating the crash. The truck cab bore the name C.H. Stevenson Inc. of Wayne.
Only one lane of traffic has been open on Eustis Parkway for several weeks as the water main work has been ongoing.
Bouley said at the scene he had not been able to interview the driver, who had to remain inside the cab until the lines were deemed safe.
City firefighters and Public Works Department officials were also at the scene.
Eustis Parkway, which runs between North and Main streets, was closed during the outage.
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