Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) will conduct routine pressure tests of the natural gas pipeline near UF Health Shands Hospital on Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6.

The tests, in coordination with Duke Energy, will involve loud noises, temporary road closures, natural gas burn-off and the potential for a noticeable gas odor. 

According to a GRU press release, the test schedules and road closures/detours include:

Test Schedule and Impact

• Saturday, April 5, at 7 a.m.: Natural gas burn-off begins using two flare stacks to reduce odor and prepare the pipeline for testing.
• Sunday, April 6, from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m.: Road closures and detours in effect.
• Sunday, April 6, at 5 a.m.: Nitrogen blow-off will produce a loud noise, approximately 120 decibels (similar to a jet engine) lasting 45 minutes to an hour.

Road Closures and Detours (see map)

• Archer Road: Closed from SW 16th Street through SW 16th Avenue.
• Mowry Road: Closed between Gale Lemerand Drive and Center Drive.
• Vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic will be detoured during the test.
• Access Restrictions: Limited access to UF Health west parking garage (Parking Garage III), Davis Cancer Pavilion Medical Plaza east parking lot, and the north drive behind the Davis Cancer Center. 

The routine maintenance procedure, conducted every six years to ensure the integrity of the natural gas infrastructure, is required by the Public Service Commission. The process does not pose any risk to public safety, and businesses and residents in the area should be aware of the following:

• The nitrogen blow-off will produce a very loud sound (approximately 120 decibels).
• A rotten egg-like odor may be present due to the controlled release of natural gas. 

GRU’s Natural Gas Department, along with Duke Energy, will oversee the test. The Gainesville Police Department and UF Police Department will assist with traffic control.