Traffic lights smashed near Avalon Mall, driver charged with impaired

A 30-year-old man is charged with impaired driving for crashing his truck into a traffic pole, destroying the lights at the intersection of Kenmount Road and the entrance to the Avalon Mall early Friday morning.

His license has also been suspended.

Police say drivers can expect delays on Kenmount Road for the Friday morning rush hour commute as contractors for the City of St. John's deal with the demolished traffic lights and the remaining lights flash red.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary responded to a report of a collision at the intersection at approximately 3:30 a.m. Friday, and found a vehicle had hit a traffic pole, sending the traffic lights scattered across the pavement.

Shortly before 7 a.m. the destroyed pole had been moved out of the street, but lights were still flashing red and traffic was unable to turn right onto Kenmount Road from the mall parking lot as contractors worked to clear the area.

The RNC said the driver was released to appear in court for his impaired driving charge at a later date.