All Peabody Route 1 Lanes Reopen After Emergency Commute Shutdown

Updated 11 a.m.

PEABODY, MA — Two lanes near the Peabody/Lynnfield line were closed in both directions Friday morning because of low-hanging utility wires following a dump truck strike overnight.

The right lane was the only one open in either direction for most of the rush hour.

As of about 9 a.m., the southbound lanes were opened with residual traffic delays. Northbound lanes remained closed with traffic stretching all the way back to Saugus at times during the morning commute.

Northbound lanes reopened about 10 a.m.

The DOT said during paving operations early Friday morning the dump truck came into contact with a utility line and pulled on the cable, resulting in sagging lines in both directions. The sagging lines were too low for traffic to safely pass.

The DOT said the utility poles on either side of Route 1 were being braced and the wires raised during the Friday rush hour.

Warning signs were placed on Route 1 in both directions and drivers were advised to avoid the area if possible to minimize delays.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)