Drivers heading north on U.S. 1 through downtown Fort Lauderdale ran into a major headache Wednesday when authorities shut down northbound Federal Highway at the Henry E. Kinney Tunnel because of a large diesel fuel spill. Crews scrambled to contain and clean up the leak, and motorists were warned to expect serious slowdowns during the lunch-hour rush.
RT @FLFR411: Northbound Federal Highway through the Henry E Kinney Tunnel is closed while crews work to mitigate a large diesel fuel leak all over the roadway. Motorists should expect delays through the lunch hour.
— City of Fort Lauderdale (@ftlcitynews) July 22, 2026
What Officials Posted
The City of Fort Lauderdale sounded the alarm on X, warning that the tunnel was “closed while crews work to mitigate a large diesel fuel leak,” according to the City of Fort Lauderdale. That post credited Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue as the original source, and the department’s Hazardous Materials Response Team, which the city describes as the unit that handles roadway fuel releases, was likely on scene, per a department overview of the program, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue.
Hazmat Response and Reporting
For diesel spills like this, response crews typically focus on stopping the spread, protecting storm drains and nearby waterways, and then removing contaminated material. Larger spills are also reported to the State Watch Office and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for oversight, according to state spill-reporting guidance from the State Watch Office.
The closure comes at a time when the Henry E. Kinney Tunnel has already been seeing periodic lane and tube closures for cleaning and repairs, work that shows up in Broward County traffic advisories from the Florida Department of Transportation.
Traffic Impact and Next Steps
The city warned drivers to expect delays through the lunch hour and urged motorists to steer clear of the area if they could, according to the City of Fort Lauderdale. Because the Kinney Tunnel carries U.S. 1 directly through downtown, any extended shutdown of the northbound lanes can quickly clog surrounding streets and feeder roads. Officials advised checking city and fire-rescue channels for real-time updates while the cleanup continues.
The Federal Highway Administration’s tunnel inventory notes that the Kinney Tunnel carries U.S. 1, also designated as State Road 5, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
Authorities have not yet released details on how much diesel was spilled or what caused the leak. Agencies typically coordinate with state environmental regulators on containment, reporting, and longer-term remediation, and officials are expected to post updates as work progresses. Residents and commuters are being urged to keep an eye on City of Fort Lauderdale and Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue channels for the latest information.
