U.S. 19 Open After Gas Leak Is Repaired

PORT RICHEY - Fire trucks blocking U.S. 19 in both directions north of Jasmine Boulevard have just been moved after emergency crews were able to stop a natural gas leak coming from the Congo River miniature golf course construction site.

The busy highway had been blocked for about 70 minutes, causing traffic to back up in both directions as detours were laid out on narrower side streets

Evacuees from the adjacent Holiday Inn Express have been told they can return to their rooms, according to police scanner chatter.
The gas leak was first reported at 4:24 p.m., according to Pasco County Fire Rescue officials. Traffic on U.S. 19 was halted in both directions between Jasmine Boulevard to the south and Coventry Drive to the north at about 5:40 p.m.

The miniature golf course, which is scheduled to open later this month, is on the west side of the highway to the north of Gulfview Square mall.

Tyson Vozzapresident of development for Congo River Golf and Exploration, said a bull dozer apparently struck and ruptured an underground gas line.

Founded in 1987, Congo River Golf currently operates six miniature golf courses in Florida: two in Orlando and one each in Daytona Beach, Altamonte Springs, Kissimmee and Clearwater.

The courses are laid out differently but share a common African exploration theme. Each has a unique hazard, and the Port Richey course is to feature an alligator pit where, for a small fee, visitors can use bamboo poles to dangle chicken pieces for the alligators to snap at, Vozza said previously.

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The miniature golf course, which is scheduled to open later this month, is on the west side of the highway to the north of Gulfview Square mall.

Tyson Vozza, vice president of development for Congo River Golf and Exploration, said a bull dozer apparently struck and ruptured an underground gas line.

Emergency crews were trying to determine who owns the line so that a crew can be summoned to turn it off, Vozza said.

Founded in 1987, Congo River Golf currently operates six miniature golf courses in Florida: two in Orlando and one each in Daytona Beach, Altamonte Springs, Kissimmee and Clearwater.

The courses are laid out differently but share a common African exploration theme. Each has a unique hazard, and the Port Richey course is to feature an alligator pit where, for a small fee, visitors can use bamboo poles to dangle chicken pieces for the alligators to snap at, Vozza said previously.