UNIVERSITY PARK – Park Avenue on Penn State’s University Park campus reopened to traffic at 7 a.m. Friday after being closed all night due to downed power lines. The staff shuttle from Stadium West will run on its normal route. Traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction. The traffic signal at the intersection of Park Avenue and University Drive will be out of service until early next week. Traffic flow at the intersection will be controlled by stop signs. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.
A wind microburst during a thunderstorm between 4 and 4:30 Thursday afternoon blew down several utiility poles and power lines on Park Avenue. The lines landed on two vehicles, but the passengers were extricated successfully by the Alpha Fire Co. There were no injuries.
Power was knocked out to a few buildings on the edge of campus, but no major buildings were affected.
The Penn State Office of Physical Plant restored power to the affected buildings late in the evening, and worked through the night to clear the roadway. They now will begin to replace the utility poles. The University has enough poles to replace the 12 downed poles.
A microburst is a strong wind blowing in one direction. It does not twist like a tornado, but is strong enough to cause damage.