FORT MYERS, Fla. — State Road 31 has reopened in both directions after a gas leak shut the road down earlier this week, the Florida Department of Transportation confirms.
FDOT confirmed the road reopened around 5:45 p.m. Saturday.
According to Peoples Gas, the damaged 8-inch pipeline was repaired after crews worked to install a new section of pipe to bypass the damaged section.
The leak had shut down the stretch of SR-31 from Palm Beach Blvd. to Bayshore Rd. since Wednesday morning.
A spokesperson with Peoples Gas said the gas line was damaged by third-party soil sampling equipment.
The name of the contractor, which is a consultant for Florida Department of Transportation, has not been confirmed at this time. Other information on FDOT's current project in the area can be found here.
Deputy Chief of Operations Jake Lamb with Fort Myers Shores Fire Department said they got the call around 2:45 a.m. Wednesday.
WATCH NOW | Gas Leak Closes SR 31
He said a contractor was drilling around 14 feet down and hit an 8-inch high-pressure gas line, which is owned by TECO Gas.
No customers lost natural gas service.
Drivers are asked to avoid the area and seek an alternate route.
Northbound and southbound lanes are currently shutdown on Palm Beach Blvd. at SR-31 for an undetermined amount of time.
— Carmine Marceno - Florida’s Law and Order Sheriff (@SheriffLeeFL) June 7, 2023
Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area or seek an alternate route if possible. pic.twitter.com/8f0niDFH5b
Here is the latest on traffic in our area.
