A handful of roadways are shuttered in Austin on Thursday morning, April 23, after a train derailment in the early hours clogged traffic ahead of the morning commute.
The Austin Police Department confirmed in a Thursday briefing that a 230-car cargo train traveling along the Union Pacific Railroad in Austin derailed downtown just before 5 a.m. near Bowie Street and West Third Street, resulting in a Third Street closure near the immediate site.
For commuters, the east-west Oltorf Street corridor has also been affected by the derailment. The Austin Transportation and Public Works Department confirmed Oltorf was closed east of South Lamar Boulevard due to the incident, and the neighboring roadway, Mary Street, was also closed eastward in South Austin.
The exact cause of the derailment remains unknown as of 9 a.m. Thursday morning. Police officials said Union Pacific representatives are en route to Austin in response to the incident, while the Railroad Commission of Texas will also respond and investigate.
Despite the traffic headache, Austin Police officials said no injuries have been reported due to the incident and there is no threat to the public. Likewise, police confirmed the train wasn’t carrying any hazardous materials at the time of the derailment.
While the Austin Police Department doesn’t investigate train derailments, officers did note the closures would likely last for hours as Union Pacific and commission officials work the scene. Those traveling in the areas of West Third, Oltorf and Mary streets are encouraged to find alternative routes.