March 2011, Vol. 238 No. 3

In The News

Jury Awards FGT $82.7 Million From Florida DOT/Florida Turnpike Enterprise

Broward County jurors awarded Florida Gas Transmission Co. $82.7 million in damages for failure by the Department of Transportation/Florida Turnpike Enterprise to reimburse FGT for relocation of its natural gas pipelines in connection with a turnpike widening project.

FGT is also entitled to pre-judgment interest, which may exceed $7 million.

The FDOT/FTE directed FGT to relocate 11 miles of pipeline to accommodate the turnpike project and was obligated to reimburse FGT for construction costs. The jury rejected defenses and counterclaims valued at $30 million asserted by the FDOT/FTE. Certain easement-related issues remain under consideration by the court.