“There is no danger to the public,” stated Michelle Hannan, a media relations advisor with CN Rail, following a train derailment in St. Catharines on Monday morning. The incident involved a CN Railway train carrying polyethylene, a polymer commonly used in household plastics, which derailed and resulted in a spill from one of the railcars.
The derailment occurred east of Glendale Avenue near Keele Street, blocking traffic in the area until crews managed to clear the site later in the morning. Despite the disruption, Hannan reassured the community, emphasizing that no injuries have been reported.
However, the incident has had significant repercussions for local transportation. Lakeshore West GO trains are currently unable to stop at St. Catharines and Niagara Falls GO stations, causing inconvenience for commuters. Additionally, shipping traffic has been disrupted due to the derailment, leaving a bridge on the Welland Canal inoperable.
“CN would like to apologize for the inconveniences caused by this incident,” Hannan added, highlighting the company’s commitment to addressing the fallout from the derailment.
Crews have successfully removed the railcars from the Glendale Avenue crossing, allowing vehicles to flow again in the area. However, the cause of the derailment remains under investigation, with authorities working to determine the circumstances that led to this incident.
As the investigation unfolds, details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the damage and the timeline for restoring normal operations. The situation continues to develop, and further updates are expected as agencies like the Niagara Regional Police and St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. assess the impact of the derailment.
