A freight train derailment in Commerce City is causing motor vehicle traffic issues, but there was no report of injuries or hazardous material leaking.
The derailment happened Tuesday afternoon near East 96th Avenue east of Interstate 76. A Union Pacific train derailment team and National Transportation Safety Board members will investigate the incident, said Julia Emko, a Commerce City spokeswoman.
Three box cars derailed from the track and tipped over. The derailment has caused at least one tanker car, hooked behind the box cars, to be leaning.
There are several tankers on the track but all are empty, Emko said.
“There are no injuries and no safety hazards,” she said.
The cause of the derailment is under investigation. It was not clear what, if anything, was in the box cars.
Eastbound lanes of I-76 at East 96th Avenue were closed after the accident, and East 96th Avenue was closed westbound at Yosemite Street because of the accident.
There is no estimated time for the roads to reopen. Alternate routes are advised.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822, knicholson@denverpost.com or
