Colonial Pipeline Says Fuel May Flow Wednesday

HELENA, AL — Fuel may be flowing again as soon as Wednesday, according to pipeline operator Colonial.

Colonial Pipeline Company is testing a 500-foot bypass of the leak site in rural Alabama, and if the temporary line stands up to scrutiny, the company says it will begin pushing fuel through "Line 1" Wednesday, slowly restoring the major source of gasoline for much of the eastern United States.

An Alabama mining inspector discovered the leak Sept. 9, forcing its shutdown and causing a scramble for fuel across the Southeast. Gas prices surged as much as 50 cents per gallon as stations under siege from panicky motorists rapidly ran out of fuel.

Governors from six states have declared states of emergency, relaxing rules for fuel truck drivers in an effort to minimize disruptions. They include Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.

It may still take a few days before supplies are back to normal, the company said.

"When Line 1 restarts, it will take several days for the fuel delivery supply chain to return to normal. As such, some markets served by Colonial Pipeline may experience, or continue to experience, intermittent service interruptions. Colonial continues to move as much gasoline, diesel and jet fuel as possible and will continue to do so until markets return to normal," Colonial said in a release.

Image via Colonial Pipeline Company