A large power outage on the west side of Winnipeg has affected traffic lights on Portage, which will likely make the drive home slower. 

Power outages were reported around Portage Avenue and the Perimeter Highway on Tuesday afternoon. The outages stretched from Saskatchewan Avenue down to Wilkes Avenue (north-south) and from the Perimeter to Sturgeon Road (east-west).

Almost 6000 customers are without power, which includes traffic lights along Portage in that stretch.

Motorists are being asked to treat all traffic lights as four-way stops and use caution while travelling home.

Manitoba Hydro says there are two pole fires associated with the outage. Media Relations Officer Bruce Owen says "crews are determining which pole will be easiest to repair in order to restore service."

There is no estimated restoration time at the moment. 

Update: 5:45 p.m.

Customers living north of Hamilton Avenue in Crestview now have their power back as of 5:30 p.m.

Work continues for the Westwood customers as pole repairs happen this evening. Manitoba Hydro believes one group should have power back by 7:30 p.m. while the remaining customers should have full power back up by 9:00 p.m.

Hydro says the work includes setting a new pole, then transferring all wires and insulators over.

 Update: 8:00 p.m.

Manitoba Hydro tweeted out that Westwood and Crestview customers would see their power restored in groups starting at 8:00 p.m. The number of groups is unclear as it will depend on which wires are moved first.