Data Lines Back After Line Severed

Automatic bank teller machines, Inter-Track wagering at Santa Anita Race Track and other services connected to Pacific Bell data lines were back in service Saturday after repair crews restored an underground fiber-optic line that was severed Friday.

The line, consisting of fine strands of glass capable of handling thousands of telephone calls and computer transmissions, was accidentally cut by a Metro Rail construction crew at 1st and Hill streets about 9:30 a.m. Friday. Service was fully restored by 3 a.m. Saturday, said Pacific Bell spokeswoman Charlene Baldwin.

While the line was out, the phone company sought to re-route calls between downtown phone customers and those in Burbank, Glendale and the East San Gabriel Valley. In many cases, such customers were receiving “circuit busy” signals as a result of the outage. Because the service was not completely shut down, phone company officials said they did not determine how many customers were affected.

With no backup service for data lines, Santa Anita’s wagering system for races at Del Mar was shut down all day Friday.

Also inoperative Friday were the cash machines at about 100 Security Pacific Bank branches.