Chaos on Route 3: CSX Train Derails in North Bergen, Sparking Hazmat Response
photo ABC News (screen shot)
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
North Bergen NJ, Commuters in North Jersey faced a standstill Tuesday afternoon as a CSX freight train derailment forced the closure of Route 3, sending emergency crews into a race against time to contain a chemical spill.
While the incident caused significant traffic headaches, North Jersey public safety officials have confirmed there is no ongoing health risk to the general public and no injuries were reported.
The Incident: 11 Cars Off the Tracks
Mid-afternoon on Tuesday, 11 cars of a CSX freight train jumped the tracks on one of the carrier’s primary trans-continental lines. The derailment occurred in a high-traffic area, necessitating an immediate total shutdown of Route 3 during the height of the evening rush hour.
Among the wreckage, at least one black tanker unit was compromised. Mayor Nick Sacco identified the leaking substance as ethyl acetate, a highly flammable solvent commonly found in:
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Nail polish removers
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Paints and coatings
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Industrial glues
Emergency Response & The “Spill” Debate
The scene was a flurry of activity as North Bergen Hazmat teams worked to neutralize the threat. “Our teams are currently working to safely mitigate the situation by diluting it with large amounts of water,” Mayor Sacco stated via social media.
Interestingly, a discrepancy has emerged between local reports and the rail company. While North Bergen officials detailed the leakage and the subsequent need to douse the flammable liquid, CSX officials have claimed that no spill actually occurred.
Commuter Impact and Cleanup
Heavy-duty cranes were deployed late Tuesday evening to hoist the derailed cars back onto the tracks. Despite the dramatic footage of tipped tankers seen from news helicopters, there was a silver lining for regional travelers:
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NJ Transit: Rail services remained unaffected by the freight incident.
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Route 3 Reopening: Officials worked through the night with the goal of having the highway fully operational for the Wednesday morning commute.
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Tags: North Bergen Breaking News Train Derailment Route 3 Public Safety CSX New Jersey Traffic
