Two days after a freight train derailed in Hyattsville, Maryland, several roads remained closed for cleanup and caused traffic delays during the Monday commute.
The derailment happened overnight on Saturday at about 1:39 a.m. near Baltimore Avenue, leaving railcars stuck on the road and scattering plastic pellets around the area, according to rail service CSX.
An estimated 16 railcars and one locomotive went off the tracks, according to preliminary reports. An "unknown number" of plastic pellets were spread into the area surrounding the derailment as a result. No one was injured.
We're making it easier for you to find stories that matter with our new newsletter — The 4Front. Sign up here and get news that is important for you to your inbox.
Hyattsville police said Alt. Route 1 between Hamilton Street and Charles Armentrout Drive is closed until further notice. Residents of the area can access the neighborhood on 42nd Place.
On Monday morning, drivers were detoured onto Rhode Island Avenue and track repairs continued. The damaged rail cars were cleared on Sunday evening.
A CSX environmental remediation crew worked to remove the pellets and address environmental concerns, police said. There is no danger to the public.
Jose Garcia who works at 4:00 a.m. to get food to businesses in the area said he had to make a second plan.
“Usually the Baltimore Avenue is clear,” Garcia said.
The closure has been a challenge for those who work and live in the area.
“Baltimore Avenue is right on my way home. So, now I’ll need to, I don’t know maneuver through all this traffic,” a man said.
“I hear so much frustrations man, from all the people talking about they can’t get through here,” another man said.
It was not immediately clear how long repairs or detours would last.
The cause of the derailment is under investigation.
