Road Closure on Piney Branch Road

Update, 5:30 p.m.: All lanes in both directions, with the exception of the far right eastbound lane, are open on Piney Branch Road between Carroll and New Hampshire avenues.

Utility workers continue to make repairs to the pole. Be advised that the far right eastbound lane is closed. Utility trucks are parked in this lane.

Update, 2:25 p.m.: Piney Branch Road between Carroll and New Hampshire avenues is CLOSED, contrary to a WTOP report.

A Maryland State Highway Administration spokesperson on the scene estimates that the road will reopen around 4:30 p.m. A number of utility wires are in the process of being reattached to the utility pole, which was hit by a driver early this morning.

Update, 1:12 p.m.: Piney Branch Road between Carroll and New Hampshire avenues is still closed due to an early morning accident. Both eastbound and westbound lanes are impacted.

We have to reset a [utility] pole. It's going to be a little while," a Maryland State Highway Administration spokesperson said.

Update, 10:30 a.m.: A utility pole hit by a driver early Sunday is estimated to be replaced by 1 p.m., a Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) spokesperson said.

All eastbound and westbound lanes remain closed on Piney Branch Road between Carroll and New Hampshire avenues.

Traffic incidents and closures can be viewed on the SHA's website.

Original post, 9:47 a.m.: All lanes are closed in both directions on Piney Branch Road between Carroll and New Hampshire avenues due to a damaged utility pole hit by a driver at approximately 4 a.m.

"A car hit the pole and wires are down," a Montgomery County Police spokesperson said.

"This is not a fatality. The driver [was] out walking around when officers arrived."

The driver of the vehicle hit the utility pole and clipped a section from the bottom of the pole, according to Eric Armstead, fleet maintenance technician with the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA).

The nearly seven-foot section of pole is currently lying several feet away from the stabilized utility pole.

"I'm sure everything's running off that pole — Comcast, Verizon and BGE," he added.

Armstead, who has been on the scene since 7 a.m., estimates the repair may take approximately 10 hours based on his three-year experience with the SHA.

Piney Branch Road serves as a main artery between University Boulevard and New Hampshire Avenue. Armstead agreed that the road closure could significantly impact traffic, but stressed the importance of keeping residents safe while repairs are made.

"We have to think safety first."