Route 3 reopens after CSX freight train derailment in North Bergen
Public safety officials said there is no health risk to the general public. The derailment did not impact NJ Transit trains.
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Route 3 is back open in time for the morning commute after a CSX freight train derailed in North Bergen, though the cause of the incident remains unclear.
The derailment happened around 3:15 p.m. Tuesday near Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen.
Officials said 13 CSX rail cars went off the tracks, causing significant damage to the freight train cars.
Tuesday coverage
There were no reported injuries, and the train was not carrying passengers. NJ Transit service is not expected to be affected.
North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco initially said local hazmat teams were working to mitigate a spill of ethyl acetate, a volatile liquid used in products such as paint and nail polish remover, by diluting it with large amounts of water.
CSX later said that information was incorrect, stating its hazmat team found no hazardous material leaks or spills at the scene.
First responders arrived shortly after the derailment and said there was no danger to the surrounding community.
Cranes were brought in to assist in clearing the scene and removing the derailed cars.
North Bergen Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual said it was a relief the incident did not involve a passenger train.
“It’s private property. They’ve been there for years and years, but yeah, it’s a relief. It’s an absolute relief that it’s not a transit train,” Pascual said. “There’s no casualty, there’s no injuries. There’s no impact, there’s no crash that we can see.”
Roads that were closed following the derailment reopened before the Wednesday morning commute.
NJ Transit service was not affected.
