State Road 54 Gas Leak Contained Faster Than Anticipated

Update 11:33 a.m. June 27: Pasco County has announced that Clearwater Gas workers contained a gas leak on State Road 54 in the Starkey Boulevard area much faster than anticipated. As of 11:33 a.m., limited lanes were being opened in the area. It remains unclear how soon the entire roadway will open up to traffic.

Earlier:

Motorists who travel State Road 54 in the Starkey Boulevard area will want to steer clear until Monday afternoon at least.

According to Pasco County, a natural gas leak in the area has closed the road in both directions at Starkey Boulevard. One business in the area has been evacuated.

Representatives from Clearwater Gas are on the scene, the county reported.

"A 6-inch gas line was hit by a crew doing work in the area," an email from the county said. The break occurred on the north side of State Road 54, 100 yards east of the Starkey Boulevard intersection.

Just after 11 a.m., the county reported the closing between Little Road and Duck Slough is expected to last until 1 p.m. Monday to allow Clearwater Gas crews time to repair the pipe.

Residents who live in the area are asked to stay indoors if they smell gas.

No further information is available at this time.