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All lanes of Gandy Boulevard reopened after tanker crash weakened road

Aviation fuel that leaked from the tanker damaged the asphalt.
 
The Gandy Bridge and portions of the Selmon Expressway and Gandy Boulevard were closed after a fuel tanker overturned at West Shore Boulevard and Gandy Boulevard.
The Gandy Bridge and portions of the Selmon Expressway and Gandy Boulevard were closed after a fuel tanker overturned at West Shore Boulevard and Gandy Boulevard. [ Courtesy of Tampa Fire Rescue via Twitter ]
Published Feb. 3, 2022|Updated Feb. 3, 2022

TAMPA — All lanes of Gandy Boulevard have reopened after a tanker crash closed a portion of the road for two days, Tampa police say.

The crash happened Tuesday and temporarily closed a portion of the Selmon Expressway and the Gandy bridge, one of three bridges that connect Hillsborough and Pinellas counties across Tampa Bay.

The bridge and expressway were reopened by Wednesday morning, but Gandy Boulevard remained closed for repairs from West Shore Boulevard to Bridge Street. This forced drivers headed from Tampa to St. Petersburg on Wednesday to enter the bridge on the elevated lanes as crews worked below.

The tanker was carrying aviation fuel, which weakened the asphalt on Gandy Boulevard after it leaked. The Florida Department of Transportation said crews performed milling and resurfacing work to get the road ready for use again.

Tampa police said in a 5 a.m. Thursday news release that all lanes of Gandy Boulevard had been reopened in time for the morning rush hour.

A tanker that overturned on Gandy Boulevard on Tuesday weakened the roadway.
A tanker that overturned on Gandy Boulevard on Tuesday weakened the roadway. [ Photo provided / Tampa Fire Rescue via Twitter ]