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PSE&G work is happening all day Wednesday. (File photo)

NEWARK -- Aside from the usual commuter traffic in Newark Wednesday, locals should expect back-ups and business closures thanks to utility work in the city.

Police announced Wednesday morning that PSE&G will be changing equipment in the city, which authorities said will cause both power outages and traffic jams.

The outages will be concentrated to two areas of the city, authorities said:

The western most border of the grid is Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. between Williams Street and Muhammad Ali Blvd. The southern border is Spruce Street between Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. and Washington Street. The eastern border is Washington Street between Spruce Street and Williams Street, and the northern border is Williams Street between Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd and Washington Street.

A second area encompasses Washington Street between Court Street and Hill Street and Broad Street also between Court Street and Hill Street.

The work will be happening between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Wednesday.

"People who commute into the downtown area who primarily any of the streets in the impacted areas are urged to use public transportation or use alternative routes which avoid the impacted areas," police said in a release.

"Police will have an increased presence in the impacted areas and will also man traffic control points at the impacted intersections in an effort to expedite the flow of traffic."

According to PSE&G, the utility is upgrading underground equipment. The outage, a spokeswoman said, will affect about 1,100 customers, who were notified of the work via delivered letters on June 21.

"PSE&G recognizes that this outage may be an inconvenience. That is why PSE&G worked with the City to perform the upgrade at a time when most people are out of the house and when schools are not in session," the utility said in a statement.

"We thank customers for their patience as we perform this important infrastructure work."

The list of affected streets includes:

Dr. MLK Blvd - Between: Muhammad Ali and Williams St

Spruce St. - Between: Dr. MLK and Washington St

Longworth St. - Between: Dr. MLK and Washington St

Crawford St. - Between: Dr. MLK and Washington St

Governor St. - Between: Marion Pl and Washington St

Vine St. - Between: Governor St and W. Kinney St

W. Kinney St. - Between: Marion Pl and Washington St

Washington St. - Between: Hill St and Court Street

Shipman St. - Between: Court St and William St

Walnut St. - Between: Dr. MLK and Washington St

W. Kinney St. - 12 Buildings Between: W. Kinney St, University Ave and Court St (BUD#2)

The power play is one of two events that may affect traffic in the Brick City Wednesday. The Public Safety Department is also conducting an emergency drill in the morning at the Fire Training Academy on Orange Street.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.