Mercer University Drive at Bloomfield Road closed due to broken signal lights

Traffic lights dangled into the intersection of Mercer University Drive and Bloomfield Road after an accident before 4:45 a.m. Sunday.

Someone fell asleep at the wheel and hit the metal pole and signal box at the northwest corner of Macon Mall, said Robert Ryals, director of facilities management for Macon-Bibb County.

Electricity remained on for neighboring businesses, but the traffic lights were out for more than 12 hours.

Crews had to remove the damaged pole, replace it and the damaged signal cabinet, Ryals said.

In the meantime, Macon-Bibb Emergency Management Agency volunteers blocked the intersection and sent westbound traffic detouring through the Macon Mall parking lot.

Eastbound traffic turned into the Bloomfield shopping center near Olive Garden.

The entrance to the apartment complex formerly known as Macon Gardens was also blocked at 3601 Mercer University Drive.

This story was originally published December 13, 2015 at 9:56 PM with the headline "Mercer University Drive at Bloomfield Road closed due to broken signal lights ."