ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. -- A gas leak shut down Interstate 4 in both directions in Seminole County for more than two hours during rush hour Monday afternoon.
- I-4 was shut down in both directions in Seminole County
- I-4 Ultimate construction work breached 4-inch pipe
- Tolls waived on SR 417 due to congestion
The gas leak occurred at State Road 436 at the Altamonte Springs exit just before rush hour. I-4 lanes reopened just before 7 p.m., Altamonte Springs Police said.
Tampa Electric Co. confirmed that construction equipment for the "I-4 Ultimate" project breached a 4-inch steel pipe operated by the company.
Motorists traveling westbound on I-4 were forced to exit at State Road 434, and those going eastbound were detoured off Maitland Boulevard.
Tolls were waived on State Road 417 as a result of the major traffic congestion, the Florida Department of Transportation said. The toll suspension affects the main toll plaza at Lake Jesup, as well as the ramps along S.R. 417 in Seminole County. FDOT didn't say how long the toll suspension would last.
The Florida Highway Patrol said troopers escorted TECO workers to the line break.
Near Lake Buena Vista, construction crews breached another TECO gas line at Vinings Way Boulevard and South Apopka Vineland Road. Nearby businesses were evacuated as crews worked to repair the approximately 2-inch pipe, Orange County officials said.
