Wildcat Canyon Closure Causes Increased Traffic in Ramona

The U-T San Diego reported a single-car collision with a power pole on Sunday morning, resulting in a road closure for more than a day that significantly increased Ramonan traffic.

According to the publication, a Mercedes sedan hit a power pole just north of Willow Road around 2 a.m. Feb. 10, causing the wood pole to fall and a live wire to splay across the road, entangling at least one passing vehicle.

Utility workers labored through the day and into Sunday evening to repair the damage. Telecommunications equipment also was being restored.

According to SDG&E, 23 customers near Blossom Valley, Baronoa, El Capitan, etc. are out of service because of the downed pole. Estimated restoration time for power to those customers is 9:30 a.m. Feb. 11.

Numerous residents on Ramona Patch's Facebook page said the road closure was causing a significant increase in traffic on Main Street and throughout Ramona.

Nathalie Arruda wrote on Ramona Patch's Facebook wall, "We live right here in the center of town and didn't think we had to worry today because we aren't commuting anywhere, but it took half an hour to drive my son two miles to school!"

California Highway Patrol issued a Sig Alert at 7 a.m. Monday morning, noting Wildcat Canyon Road was still closed, but expected to be open at 9:30 a.m.

Only the southbound lane of Wildcat Canyon Road was expected to open around 8 a.m. with traffic control in place, according tp CHP.

The driver of the Mercedes, a woman in her 40s, was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, the U-T reported.

Have you been experiencing increased traffic Monday morning? Tell us in the comments.