A transformer explosion in North Lewiston knocked out electricity for more than 1,100 Avista customers Thursday evening, prompting a utility crew response and a brief period of traffic management by local police.
The outage stretched across a broad section of the city, from the area of 21st and Main streets up through 12th Avenue. Avista initially projected service would be restored by 11:30 p.m., but crews completed repairs ahead of schedule, bringing power back online around 10:30 p.m.
Officers Manage Intersections During Outage
With traffic signals dark across several busy intersections, Lewiston police stepped in to direct vehicles through the affected areas. For approximately 30 minutes, drivers had to navigate without functioning signals before officers took positions at key crossings. Authorities noted that some officers may have simultaneously been handling unrelated calls during the disruption. Traffic conditions returned to normal once power was fully restored.
This is not the first recent public safety incident to draw attention in Lewiston. Earlier this week, a Lewiston shop fire left one building a total loss, and a separate power outage affecting roughly 1,100 customers was also reported in the area.
What Comes Next
Avista has not publicly announced what caused the transformer failure or whether infrastructure upgrades are under consideration for the affected corridor. Residents experiencing continued service concerns are encouraged to contact Avista directly. Lewiston police have not indicated any ongoing traffic or safety concerns related to Thursday’s outage.