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A car hit a power pole on Sunol Boulevard between Riddell Street and Arlington Drive Monday afternoon, causing a power outage for much of southwest Pleasanton.
Power went out at 3:15 p.m. from an area near the Sunol Boulevard off-ramp and extending to Bernal Avenue.
Affected were the Callippe Preserve golf course, homes in the adjacent neighborhoods, Raley’s Supermarket, the Pleasanton Senior Center, Pleasanton Civic Center and City Hall, and the Pleasanton Weekly offices at 5506 Sunol Blvd.
Power was restored about an hour later.
Traffic lights on Sunol Boulevard between the freeway and Bernal Avenue also were dark during the power failure, although the signal at Bernal and Sunol continued to work.
Mike Tassano the city’s Deputy Director of Community Development, Transportation, and its traffic engineer,said the city has battery backup systems at approximately 20 intersections around town. These systems are located at the larger intersections, and Tassano’s group is in the process of installing battery backups at all intersections.
This project started last summer with all signalized intersections to be upgrade this year with the incorporation of LED technology at these signals.
Tassano said that the battery backup systems are now able to maintain full operation of the traffic signal during power outages instead of the typical flashing red. Bernal Avenue at Sunol Boulevard/First Street now has the battery backup system which automatically activated Monday, enabling that location to continue functioning during the power outage.
I’m pretty sure it was out all the way to RUBY ! but it was short lived and we all were back up and running quickly. I hope everyone involved in the crash was okay.
The Parkview Assisted Living Community was affected, as well. I hope all in the car were okay. Wondering if the police do drug or alcohol tests in this case. That’s a pretty big hop of a curb and sidewalk, then to slam that power box right off the slab. Possibly a medical issue? Good to see no other cars involved.
The City has battery backup systems at approximately 20 intersections around town. These systems are located at the larger intersections in the City.
The City is in the process of installing battery backups at all intersections. This project started in summer of 2011 and will upgrade several intersections each month until all locations have battery backups installed.
With the incorporation of LED technology at the signals, battery backup system are now able to maintain full operation of the traffic signal during power outages instead of the typical flashing red.
Bernal Avenue at Sunol Boulevard/ First Street does have a battery backup system. This system was automatically activated yesterday when the location lost power and is the reason why the location continued to operate through the power outage.
Mike Tassano
City of Pleasanton
Deputy Director of Community Development, Transportation
With PG&E electricty rates being 5-7 times what they are in many states, one wonders why we still have so many overhead power lines rather than underground lines. The number of electrical outages we have in NorCal is on par with 3rd-world countries and they are usually do to poor maintenance and lack of capital improvements. Oh, I forgot, PG&E has not been doing upgrades and maintenance for the last 3-4 decades. Why do Californians put up with being reamed?
Thanks for sharing Mike.
Very cool that newer technology in lighting can help to eliminate a major traffic headache.
Was not quite so short lived for at least one neighborhood. Power was not restored for over 12 hours. Makes us realize how dependent we are on a reliable source of electricity. Hope the driver of the car is OK.
Not saying speed was a factor but people NEED to slow down in the rain. on the bright side-one less mini van on the street today.
May all those injured have a speedy recovery.
Very cool, Mike. Technology is a wonderful thing…..glad to see you’re taking advantage of LED’s.