Here’s What Caused The Power Outage Along Middletown’s Rt. 35 Corridor

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Directly from JCP&L, here’s what caused the widespread power outages that occurred in Middletown multiple times throughout the day Wednesday and into the night:

JCP&L is working on the lines in that area, and the power went out as a result of them working on the lines. However, it was not immediately restored because JCP&L changed the settings on devices that try to automatically restore power when it goes out.

This was to protect the safety of line workers, said JCP&L.

“We are currently working on an upgrade project on the lines that run through that corridor — stronger, thicker wire and poles to add resiliency and better handle capacity,” said JCP&L spokesman Chris Hoenig. “For the safety of the crews working on the lines, we changed the settings on devices that will try to automatically restore outages.”

Their work on the lines caused a brief power outage Wednesday, he said.

The first outage lasted from 1:05 to 1:41 p.m., and affected Middletown only. The second outage occurred Wednesday evening and was more widespread, taking out power to all of Highlands and Atlantic Highlands.

But it was the heart of Middletown: Power was lost down the entire Rt. 35 corridor, from Target to the new Town Hall. Trader Joe’s, ShopRite and all homes and businesses along Rt. 35 lost electric power.

“A widespread power outage is currently impacting parts of Middletown in the areas around Rt. 35 and New Monmouth Road,” Mayor Tony Perry wrote on Facebook earlier Wednesday. “Traffic lights are currently not operating on the highway and impacting both commercial and residential areas. If possible, please avoid these areas.”

Middletown Police had to help cars cross and navigate Rt. 35, because the traffic lights were out.