Traffic was slowed Tuesday night at one of Portland’s most congested intersections after the arms on a railroad crossing gate malfunctioned.

Portland Police Lt. Gary Hutcheson said the problem with the gates occurred around 5:30 p.m. at the Woodfords Corner intersection at the height of the evening rush hour.

Hutcheson said the gates are synchronized with the traffic light at the four-way intersection, which caused a significant traffic jam at first.

Hutcheson said several city police officers were assigned to the intersection, which is crossed by Forest Avenue, and they were able to be move traffic along.

A crew from Pan Am Railways was called in and repaired the gate.

Traffic was moving freely again by 6:30 p.m., Hutcheson said.