Update, 4:15 p.m.: Anchorage police dispatchers say the intersection of Northern Lights Boulevard and C Street is open in all directions.
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Original story:
Electrical workers are cautiously optimistic they can repair a downed powerline at Northern Lights Boulevard and C Street by 4 or 4:30 p.m. Saturday, according to Municipal Light and Power.
Until repairs are complete, the intersection remains closed, police said.
The line came down about 1 p.m. and could be seen smoking in the street. Police dispatchers said there were no reports of a vehicle hitting a utility pole or other obvious causes.
ML&P spokeswoman Ronnie Dent said it was unclear why the line came down, causing an outage for about 300 customers. A crew was busy getting the line back up just west of the intersection, she said.
"We'll work as quickly and as we safely can," Dent said. "It takes time, though, to repair."
Police are diverting traffic away from the intersection.
By CASEY GROVE