Gas main leak closes lanes on SR 70 near I-75 in Bradenton, causing traffic delays

Multiple lanes of State Road 70 and 87th Street East in Manatee County were closed for several hours on Wednesday afternoon due to a gas main leak near the intersection.

East Manatee Fire Rescue units were dispatched to the intersection in the Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch area at 3:12 p.m., Manatee County Emergency Communications Center staff said. Manatee County Sheriff’s Office was on scene directing traffic.

As of 4:45 p.m., three eastbound lanes of S.R. 70 were closed, as well as two westbound turn lanes, Sarasota-Manatee Regional Traffic Management Center said in an update.

On 87th Street, all northbound lanes and three southbound lanes were closed.

The gas leak began when a contractor hit a pipe, East Manatee Battalion Chief Matt Talaska said.

“We’re hoping to get it under control here real quick,” Talaska said around 5:30 p.m.

All lanes were reopened shortly after 6 p.m.

This story was originally published April 6, 2022 at 5:12 PM.