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Gas Leak Puts Brakes On I-75 Traffic

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By KENNETH KNIGHT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 16, 2008

NEW TAMPA - Both directions of Interstate 75 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard were closed at their junction for several hours Monday afternoon after a construction worker severed a natural gas line.

A backhoe operated by a worker with PCL Civil Constructors Inc. hit a 6-inch natural gas line in the median of Bruce B. Downs about 1 p.m., said John McShaffrey of the Florida Department of Transportation. I-75 was shut until about 6 p.m.; Bruce B. Downs opened about a half hour later.

There were no fires or explosions as a result of the leak and no injuries were reported, but shutting down the roads caused massive traffic backups in the area for hours.

Construction workers were evacuated from the scene shortly after the gas line was struck, Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade said.

PCL is working on improvements at the interchange that include the widening of Bruce B. Downs under the interstate. The company recently completed a flyover access ramp from southbound Bruce B. Downs to the southbound lanes of I-75.

The Florida Highway Patrol diverted northbound I-75 traffic to Fletcher Avenue. Southbound drivers exited I-75 at State Road 56 or I-275 southbound.

Traffic northbound on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard was turned around via Tampa Palms Boulevard. Southbound traffic was turned around at Dona Michelle Drive.

Wade said workers from Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas thought they had shut off the gas leak shortly after 3 p.m. PCL workers were allowed to return to the construction site. However, gas company officials discovered the leak had not been capped, which further delayed opening the road.

Reporter Kenneth Knight can be reached at (813) 865-4842 or kknight@tampatrib.com.

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