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.
"It won't be something that's immediately felt at the pump, but I would expect in the next week, you'd see a dramatic improvement versus this week," said Andy Milton of Mansfield Oil.
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.
Photos | Gas pipeline leak in Alabama
Photos | Gas pipeline leak in Alabama
Earlier Tuesday, auto club AAA reported that gas prices continue to climb in several southern states after the 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.
Colonial has said it was working "around the clock" to repair the break and supplies have been delivered or are on their way to locations in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina.
The shortage is blamed on a pipeline rupture and leak of at least 252,000 gallons (954,000 liters) of gas in Alabama.
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