BY SOPHIE GORMAN ORIANI
September 25 update:
The damaged cars were removed as of Sunday evening; however, damage to the road and tracks will continue to cause delays. Alt Route 1 has been closed between Hamilton Street and Charles Armentrout Dr., although residents can access the neighborhood by going down 42nd Place. Commuters can navigate around the closed portion by taking a detour onto Rhode Island Avenue.
In addition to the damaged road and tracks, the accident caused plastic pellets to spill onto the roadway and surrounding areas. CSX has an environmental remediation crew to clean up the spill. There was also a small initial fuel spill reported, but that has already been cleaned.
Officials have not announced a timeline for when the repairs and cleanup will be complete.
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Original article
In the very early hours of September 23, the Hyattsville Police Department sent out an emergency text alerting residents to avoid the area near Baltimore Avenue and Decatur Street due to a derailed train.
Courtesy of HPD
According to a post on the police department’s Facebook page, 16 train cars, as well as the locomotive, came off the track, including at least one car that rolled over onto its side. While no one was injured, the derailed cars spilled what the post described as “plastic pellets,” and the roadway sustained damage.
CSX, the freight company, brought in cranes to remove the train cars. Removal is anticipated to be finished by the end of the day Sunday. Alternate Route One will remain closed at Decatur Street until the damage has been repaired.
The cause of the derailment is still under investigation. The police department asked residents to avoid the area, as the train car removal is dangerous due to potentially flying debris.
