Publisher’s note: The traffic light is working again. Updated as of 5:25pm Dec. 22.

Caltrans workers are at the corner of Tahoe Keys Boulevard and Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe this afternoon replacing a light pole that was taken out by a driver early Tuesday morning.

South Lake Tahoe police officers got the call about the downed pole at 2:55am but no report was taken. Lt. David Stevenson said a truck could have taken the corner and not known the pole was hit or it could have been a deliberate hit and run.

Cars are backed up on Highway 50 and Tahoe Keys Boulvard. Photo/Kathryn Reed

For now the flashing red light is making travel slow at the Y end of town.

The pole that was on the Bear’s Den side of the highway was not salvageable so Caltrans is replacing the entire standard.

Caltrans crews expect the signal to return to normal operation late this afternoon.