Update, 3:52 p.m.: Portland General Electric is reporting an estimated restoration time of 5:30 p.m. Original story below: The Salem Public Library closed early on Wednesday due to a power outage that impacted around 1,700 Portland General Electric homes and businesses. The library announce d the closure of the main branch around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. It would typically close at 7 p.m.Hours at the West Salem branch, which closes at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, were not affected. The branch did not have internet connection as of Wednesday afternoon. The outage began just before noon after a vehicle hit a pole, according to PGE spokesperson Grace Boehm.“Our crews are working quickly on the repair to have power restored around 3:30 p.m.,” Boehm said in an email to Salem Reporter. Dispatch records show a crash was reported at 11:47 a.m. near the intersection of South River Road and South Riverdale Road. According to PGE’s outage map, the affected customers are in central and southwest Salem. Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251. LOCAL NEWS DELIVERED TO YOU: Subscribe to Salem Reporter and get all the fact-based Salem news that matters to you. Fair, accurate, trusted – SUBSCRIBE. The post Power outage closes Salem Public Library early on Wednesday appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less