Florida Gas Transmission (FGT) plans retesting its natural gas pipeline in northern Polk County early Thursday morning February 10. The nearly 16-mile-long pipeline runs from State Road 33 (Commonwealth Avenue N) in Polk City to County Road 35A (Kathleen Road) in Kathleen along County Road 582 (Old Polk City Road), N. Socrum Loop Road, Marcum Road, and U.S. Highway 98.
During testing, the following road closures will occur:
- Rollinglen Loop W
- Along two southbound lanes on U.S. Highway 98 from Princeton Street to Marcum Road
- Marcum Road from U.S. Highway 98 to Walt Loop Road
- Old Polk City Road from Walt Loop Road to East of Tomkow Road
- The southbound lane on SR 33/Commonwealth Avenue N from Voyles Loop N to Tavares Road
Detours and flaggers supported by law enforcement will control traffic and emergency vehicles will be allowed access at all times. The test will take place midnight to 4:00 a.m. Thursday morning. If the retest does not pass, another night of testing may be necessary.
This federally mandated testing is a standard industry best-practice using pressurized water to confirm the safety and reliability of the system. The natural gas will be removed from the pipeline, with service maintained on another system; and the integrity of the pipeline will be tested under pressure for a fixed period of time.
For more information, contact Mr. Terry Coleman at 844-FGT-INFO (844-348-4636) or visit the FGT website at https://fgthydrotest.com/home/central-florida/polk/, or call Bill Skelton with the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division at 863-535-2200.