FL bridge shut down for “several days” following tanker truck fuel leak

A bridge in Florida is closed after a tanker truck overturned, spilling fuel across the roadway. 

The accident happened on Tuesday afternoon, February 1st, in Tampa, Florida. 

According to ABC Action News, a semi truck hauling aviation fuel was traveling along the corner of Westshore and Gandy Boulevards when it overturned, spilling its load of fuel. The fuel spill caused a number of nearby businesses to evacuate, and some people were even instructed to shelter in place. 

Authorities shut down Gandy, along with nearby Selmon Expressway, as crews worked to clean up the spill, which involved using a dam to stop the fuel from entering sewers and waterways. The leak was stopped around 4 p.m. and 1,200 gallons of aviation fuel were recovered. 

The Selmon Expressway was reopened at around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, and the westbound lanes from Westshore to Manhattan Avenue reopened early Wednesday morning. Westbound Gandy Boulevard remains closed from Westshore Boulevard. Police say there is still no access to the Gandy Bridge from the lower Gandy Boulevard westbound lanes, but elevated lanes are open.

The roadway has since been cleaned, but a Florida Department of Transportation engineer determined that the asphalt surface of the road had absorbed too much fuel, weakening it, and it will need to be replaced. FDOT will soon begin resurfacing Gandy Blvd. from West Shore Blvd. to Bridge St. and hopes to complete the project by late Wednesday night, February 2nd.