Some D.C.-area commuters are feeling the effects this morning of a CSX freight train that derailed yesterday, spilling hazardous chemicals near Rhode Island Avenue Metro station.
The MARC Brunswick Line only operated three trains for its morning service, all of which ended service in Silver Spring. This evening, the following three trains will originate at Silver Spring and make all stops:
Train 875 – It will depart Silver Spring at 4:39pm.
Train 893 – It will depart Silver Spring at 5:34pm.
Train 881 – It will hold 30 minutes and depart Silver Spring at 7:04pm. This train will terminate in Brunswick; EPTA buses will meet the train at Brunswick for service to Harpers Ferry, Duffields, and Martinsburg.
The Maryland Transit Administration notes that these trains will likely be very crowded and encourages passengers to consider alternative transit options.
The DC Department of Transportation also announced that the Metropolitan Branch Trail is closed to cyclists and pedestrians from T to Franklin Streets NE.
Detour: Edgewood to 4th Street. 4th Street has bike lanes the entire way from Edgewood back to the trail. pic.twitter.com/1r6C6KHkwc
— DDOT DC (@DDOTDC) May 2, 2016
Metro’s Red Line is running on normal service after operations were suspended between the NoMa-Gallaudet and Brookland stations yesterday. The incident happened around 9th and Rhode Island Avenue NE around 9:30 a.m., according to the Metropolitan Police Department, which also restricted pedestrian and vehicular traffic from 4th Street to Brentwood Road NE along Rhode Island Avenue yesterday.
A total of 16 cars derailed, according to the CSX railroad company.
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) May 1, 2016
Officials said at a press conference yesterday that sodium hydroxide that was being carried in one of the train’s 15,500-gallon tankers leaked into the rail bed and ground under it, leaving crews to assess how much ground should be taken out. In addition, a small leak of ethanol and another of calcium chloride had been contained.
Mayor Muriel Bowser said that while clean-up efforts were still taking place, responders had secured “all hazardous material.” There were also no air quality or water issues reported, Bowser said.
