Rush-hour motorists were met with huge tailbacks this morning after a crash on Harbour Road overnight resulted in diversions.

Significant delays were experienced as crews made repairs at the site of a utility pole that was downed in a traffic incident.

Belco posted on Facebook this afternoon: “Harbour Road will remain closed in the area of Lovers Lane, Paget through the 5pm rush of residents returning home from work.

“Our repairs remain ongoing, in addition to the repairs of other utility companies.”

The Bermuda Police Service said shortly before 2.30am that the crash happened on Harbour Road near the junction with Lovers Lane.

An update at about 7.15am said: “A utility pole was brought down in that incident and repair work is ongoing.

“Motorists are advised to use alternative routes to get to their destinations.”

The Ministry of Public Works and Environment later announced that the emergency road closure would “remain in effect until further notice”.

It explained: “The closure has been implemented following an accident that resulted in damage to a Belco utility pole.

“Emergency response teams are on site working to carry out urgent repairs and restore the road for safe use as quickly as possible.

“During this period, eastbound traffic will be rerouted via Chapel Lane, while westbound traffic will be diverted via Lovers Lane.

“Motorists are urged to avoid the area, use alternate routes and follow any instructions from officials present.”

The delays meant that several matters scheduled to be heard in Magistrates’ Court and the Supreme Court 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 this morning, 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: “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 to direct traffic.

Meanwhile, a bus passenger, who took the number 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.”

Belco posted on its Facebook page this morning that a power outage in the area of Lovers Lane would continue until crews could complete repairs.

It added: “Our crew is working on restoring power to all those affected as quickly and safely as possible.”

The post said: “Please exercise extreme caution when driving, walking or riding near our working crews.

“The safety of you, our crew, the public and all road users is paramount.

“If you are affected by an outage, please unplug all sensitive equipment and electronics.”

The company’s outage map suggested that 18 customers were impacted by the power cut in Paget.