Rush-hour motorists suffered lengthy tailbacks this morning and at the end of the day after a crash on Harbour Road last night resulted in diversions.

Significant delays were experienced while crews worked at the site of a utility pole that was damaged in the traffic incident.

A spokesman for the Bermuda Police Service said this afternoon that a woman was arrested for impaired driving after the single-vehicle crash, which happened on Wednesday at about 11.45pm near the junction with Highwood Lane in Paget.

Commuters travelling to the West End of the island were also urged to leave town before the start of the evening rush hour because the traffic delays were expected to continue.

The BPS spokesman explained that when officers arrived on the scene of the incident last night, they saw a utility pole and a car both with extensive damage.

He added that a piece of the utility pole appeared to be “lodged in the right front wheel of the vehicle”.

“EMTs were seen speaking with a female who was later identified as the driver of the vehicle in question,” the spokesman said.

“Police spoke with the driver … who displayed signs of impairment.”

The BPS spokesman said that the woman provided a breath sample, the results of which suggested she was nearly three times the legal blood-alcohol limit.

He added: “The driver was subsequently arrested and charged for driving while impaired, and will be appearing before the courts in the coming days.”

Shelly Leman, a Belco managing director, said that the crash left a Belco pole “snapped in half, blocking the road and causing an outage to area residents”.

She explained: “Belco crews attended the scene, rerouted power to restore some customers and have been working to replace the broken pole and restore power to the remaining customers.

“Other utilities are also repairing their infrastructure that was damaged in the accident.

“The road has remained closed throughout vehicle removal and repair works due to the significant safety risk posed by the damage pole.

“While work is ongoing, Harbour Road will remain closed in the area of Lovers Lane Paget through the 5pm rush hour.”

Ms Leman added: “Belco asks that those driving, walking or riding near our working crews please exercise extreme caution as the safety of the public, our crew and all road users is paramount.

“If residents have been affected by an outage, please unplug all sensitive equipment and electronics. We thank you for your patience.”

The BPS said on their Facebook page: “Where possible, we urge commuters travelling to the western end of the island to leave before the start of rush hour today, as traffic delays are to be expected due to the ongoing pole replacement work.”

The Ministry of Public Works and Environment said this afternoon that Harbour Road was closed between Chapel Lane and Lovers Lane.

Eastbound traffic was diverted through Chapel Lane to Middle Road, while westbound traffic was diverted on to Lovers Lane.

The ministry added: “This closure began on September 4 and remains in effect until further notice.

“Delays are expected, particularly near the Paget traffic lights.

“Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, use alternative routes where possible and follow all traffic control measures in place.”

The ministry later gave an update, announcing that the emergency road closure was expected to continue “into the late evening hours”.

It warned that delays and congestion could be expected on alternative routes during the evening commute, and urged drivers to plan well in advance.

Signs were being put in place at the Crow Lane roundabout to redirect commuters.

The ministry added: “To further assist with traffic flow, the turn on to Middle Road at the Paget traffic light is now blocked. All westbound traffic is being directed up South Road instead.

“This measure is intended to prevent congestion in the right-turn lane at the Paget lights and keep through traffic moving.

“Motorists may rejoin Middle Road after passing the Paget traffic lights.”

The delays meant that several matters scheduled to be heard in Magistrates’ Court and the Supreme Court today were set back by about an hour because a Department of Corrections vehicle transporting inmates from Westgate Correctional Facility to the courts got caught up in traffic.

Drivers shared their experiences on social media throughout the day, as they tried to provide the latest information for other road users.

One reported that it took more than three hours to reach town after leaving Somerset at 7.40am.

Another commenter posted in the morning: “All roads at a snail’s pace. Took us almost an hour and a half to get from Island Cuisine to Belmont.”

The user added that, at that time, the road outside Four Ways Inn on Middle Road was “gridlocked”.

Motorists noted that police were stationed at the Paget stop lights this morning to direct traffic.

Meanwhile, a bus passenger, who took the No 7 service from The Reefs in Southampton at about 10.10am, said she arrived on Front Street an hour later.

“It was frustrating because I was late for work,” she added.

“Normally that bus is always on time.”

The situation seemed just as challenging this evening.

One commenter wrote: “We have been sitting outside Wesley Methodist Church for almost 40 mins with no movement. This is insane.”

Another said it took an hour and a half to travel from town to Pinnacle Hill in Paget.

A driver said: “As of 6.30pm, traffic into Hamilton as well as outbound traffic was subject to heavy delays, with frustrated drivers backed up into the city for the turn down Flora Duffy Hill and motorcycle police attempting to keep junctions clear within the city.”

Belco posted online this evening that its crews continued to work at the site of the damage utility pole and would not be finished by 8pm, as was earlier hoped.

Its outage map suggested earlier that about 20 customers were impacted by the power cut in Paget, with the number dropping to 13 by 7.50pm.

• On occasion The Royal Gazette may decide to not allow or discontinue comments on a story that we deem may inflame sensitivities. As we are legally liable for any libellous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers