MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Crews reopened a major artery that runs through Mooresville, 19 hours after a crash took out power lines Monday night.
The accident closed both directions of Highway 150 near Perth Road, which left no way for people to get to Lake Norman High School.
PHOTOS: Highway 150 shut down after crash
Lake Norman High School, Lakeshore Elementary School and Lakeshore Middle School had to close for the day.
"The school called and at first I wasn't too happy -- no school -- and then I found out why, and I said, ‘That's not really good,’" student Malik Simmons said.
The shortest alternate route was a 40-mile detour, almost 50 minutes without traffic.
Many drivers left their cars at a nearby shopping center then walked half a mile to their homes inside the closure.
A home health care worker walked nearly a mile to get to a patient.
"I just figured I'd walk there because it’s maybe a mile and for me to backtrack all the way around is going to take me forever," Jennifer Callaghan said.
The pole is being held up by 12 different lines, all of which must be disconnected to put a new pole in place.
The reconstruction of the power pole caused power to be knocked out to businesses in the area.
WATCH LIVE | This wreck is causing a traffic nightmare in Lake Norman. Highway 150 is shut down at Perth Road in Mooresville, forcing drivers to take a 40-mile detour. Three schools are even closed. The cleanup is expected to last all day.
Posted by Mark Barber WSOC on Tuesday, September 26, 2017
"We can't do any business,” Missy Wright, with Carolina Racing Supply, said. “Without power, without internet, people can't get to us. We can't do anything today."
Crews reopened Highway 150 around 6 p.m. Tuesday.
There were no injuries from the crash.
State troopers said Vonderrick Smith, 28, was charged with driving left of center. Smith was also cited for speeding. He was driving at about 70 mph in a 45 mph zone.
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