Gas pumps at Maine Turnpike’s West Gardiner service plaza are back in operation after a 12-hour shutdown

On November 12, 2024By Pranco

WEST GARDINER, Maine (WMTW) – The gas pumps at the Maine Turnpike Authority’s West Gardiner service plaza are back in operation after a shutdown that lasted about 12 hours.

A technician working to repair the gas pumps told Maine’s Total Coverage reporter Jackie Mundry that one of the pumps malfunctioned around 2 a.m. Monday due to an electrical problem. The technician also said that due to the gas station’s sensor system, all pumps will be turned off for safety reasons if such an issue occurs, even if it only affects one pump.

Maine’s Total Coverage first became aware of the problem when the Maine Turnpike Authority’s Traffic Management Center issued an alert at 9 a.m. to drivers traveling on Interstate 95 that gasoline was not available at the West Gardiner service plaza due to pump problems. The MTA also posted signs on the highway warning people that gas was not available at the service plaza.

“I should be able to get where I’m going, but I was planning on getting gassed here, so that’s disrupting things,” said traveler Jacob Clark.

Diesel fuel was still available at the service yard while the gas pumps were turned off.

The petrol pumps at the service plaza reopened around 2 p.m

“We apologize for any inconvenience caused,” the MTA said in its warning, which was rescinded shortly before 4:10 p.m.

West Gardiner’s service plaza is accessible from Exit 102 on the northbound side of Interstate 95 and from Exit 103 on I-95 South. Travelers on Interstate 295 can also access the service plaza via exit 51.