A number of Gainesville government offices and facilities are without phone and computer service after a traffic accident pulled down a fiber connection, according to a city spokeswoman.

Affected locations include the city's Public Utilities and Traffic Engineering offices, the Georgia Mountains Center, Frances Meadows Aquatic and Community Center and the Community Service Center, Public Information Officer Catiel Felts said. None of the locations have phone or computer service.

Felts said a wreck on College Avenue caused the city government's fiber line in that area to be pulled down.

She said the city's technology department is working on repairs, but anticipates it may take well into the night. Operations are expected to return to normal by Friday morning. An emergency crew is on the way to fix the problem, Felts said.

The Public Utilities Office remains open for business today and is able to take utility payments, Felts said.

Staff can take payments by cash, check and credit card, but is having to issue hand-written receipts, she said. In addition, customers need to know how much they owe or bring a bill with them because staff is unable to look up computerized accounts.

The city's online bill payment service still is operational at www.gainesville.org, Felts said.