BOCA RATON, FL — Southbound drivers are moving. Northbound drivers are not.
A high-pressure gas line leak has shut down all northbound lanes of Florida's Turnpike at the Sawgrass Expressway, and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue is warning that it will not be a quick reopening. The closure stretches into Boca Raton and is expected to snarl traffic for hours.
According to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, the leak involves a high-pressure service line and multiple agencies are on the scene. The line has to be shut down and bled off before the roadway can reopen or repairs can begin. Fire Rescue described it as "an extended incident."
The Florida Department of Transportation's traffic system shows all northbound lanes closed on Florida's Turnpike from Exit 71 at the Sawgrass Expressway/S.R. 869 to Exit 75 at Glades Road/S.R. 808. The ramp from the Sawgrass Expressway onto the Turnpike is closed, and the ramp to Glades Road is also closed. FDOT logged the incident at 11:14 a.m. Tuesday and last updated it at 2:43 p.m.
Drivers heading north out of Broward County are being told to take alternate routes. Southbound traffic is still moving, according to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.
No injuries had been reported as of 1 p.m., according to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, and the main gas transmission lines have not been affected.
The closed stretch is one of the busiest commuter segments of the Turnpike, funneling traffic from western Broward County into south Palm Beach County. Glades Road is the primary Turnpike exit for downtown Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University, Town Center at Boca Raton, and West Boca.
FDOT has posted Road Ranger service in the area and is asking drivers to move over or slow down for crews on scene.
The Turnpike will remain closed northbound until the leaking line is bled off and cleared by responding agencies, according to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. No estimated reopening time was provided.
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