Gas leak closes SR 31, creates nightmare commute
Traffic was at a near standstill Wednesday morning throughout much of Fort Myers and North Fort Myers after a late-night gas leak closed State Road 31 between Bayshore Road (SR 78) and Palm Beach Boulevard (SR 80).
Even worse, this may be the norm for quite a while, as it could be days before the leak is repaired.
Fire Chief Robert Revis of the Fort Myers Shores Fire Department said they received a call at around 2:30 a.m. after a contractor using soil-sampling equipment drilled 14 feet into the ground and into an eight-inch high-pressure gas line owned by TECO Gas.
A plume of gas leaked from the line into the sky. This was a main feeder line that goes into Collier County, Revis said. TECO said no customers have lost natural gas service.
Florida Department of Transportation officials and the Fort Myers Shores Fire Department completely closed off Babcock Ranch Road (SR 31) from Palm Beach Boulevard to Bayshore Road, including the bridge.
Westbound traffic on Bayshore Road was at a near standstill as commuters attempted to access I-75, as was Babcock Ranch Road southbound for drivers attempting to access Bayshore.
TECO said the damage was such that it could take two or three days for things to return to normal.
Representatives for TECO, FDOT and Fort Myers Shore Fire were on the scene and ready to work around the clock to get the situation under control as soon as possible, Revis said.
For more information on the incident and traffic updates, visit fl511.com.
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com