Pipeline Repair Complete, Main Line To Restart Wednesday

ATLANTA (AP) – The Latest on the rupture of the Colonial Pipeline in Alabama (all times local):

10:15 a.m.

The pipeline company working to repair a leak that led to gas shortages and higher prices for drivers across the South says its bypass repair is complete and it expects to restart its main gasoline line Wednesday.

Colonial Pipeline spokesman Steve Baker tells The Associated Press that testing is now being done on the line.

Baker said crews have been working around the clock to get fuel to markets, and that it will take a few days for the fuel supply chain to fully recover after the line restarts.

The 500-foot  (152- meter)bypass was needed to move fuel around the leak of its main gasoline pipeline in Shelby County, Alabama. The leak, which spilled 6,000 barrels of gasoline into a detention pond, was detected Sept. 9.

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7 a.m.

The auto club AAA reports that gas prices continue to climb in several southern states after a pipeline leak in Alabama slowed the flow of fuel across the South.

AAA reports that in Georgia, Tuesday’s average price for regular gas rose about 5 cents since Monday, to an average $2.36 statewide – up nearly 27 cents over the past week. The price has climbed nearly 7 cents since Monday in the Macon and Augusta areas.

South Carolina saw an average price rise of nearly 4 cents from Monday to Tuesday – up nearly 18 cents from a week ago. The Columbia, South Carolina area saw prices rise about 6 cents since Monday.

AAA reports Tuesday that Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia also saw prices climb since Monday.