Traffic Shut Down In Both Directions Of Florida's Turnpike

LAKE WORTH, FL — Traffic was snarled in both directions of Florida's Turnpike Thursday after a gas pipeline erupted on the northbound side adjacent to the Lake Worth Road overpass in Palm Beach County.

Lt. Yanko Reyes of the Florida Highway Patrol said the eruption occurred shortly before 10 a.m. He said no injuries had been reported as of early afternoon.

"The erupted pipeline compromised the integrity of the overpass northbound, and the turnpike was closed in both directions for public safety," he said. "The cause of the eruption is unknown at this time as investigators continue to assess the scene."

Nearby areas were evacuated by FHP and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The highway was closed to traffic from Jog Road westbound to State Road 441.

The nearby Discovery Key Elementary School was evacuated as a precaution.

The Florida Gas Transmission Company and the Florida Department of Transportation were investigating the eruption.