A train derailment impacted traffic with closures along Interstate 10 and several streets in Central El Paso east of Downtown, a police spokesperson said.
The derailment occurred shortly before noon on Thursday, Aug. 20, near Missouri Avenue and Cotton Street, next to I-10, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
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The El Paso Office of Emergency Management issued an alert about the derailment. There is no threat to public safety.
A train derailed in the area of Gateway West Boulevard and Cotton Street next to Interstate 10 in Central El Paso, east of Downtown on Aug. 20, 2026.
The cause of the derailment was unknown and the scene was turned over to Union Pacific, which will investigate the derailment, oversee the cleanup and remove the train, El Paso Fire Department spokeswoman Nina Brack said in an email.
El Paso firefighters responded to the derailment about 11:45 a.m. to find that 18 train cars had derailed, including 10 which overturned, Brack said.
See photos of train derailment in Central El Paso
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A train derailment occurred about noon on Thursday, Aug. 20, near Missouri Avenue and Cotton Street, next to I-10, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. (Omar Ornelas / El Paso Times)
EPFD’s Hazardous Materials Task Force did an assessment of the scene and determined that there were no hazardous materials of concern and spilled materials did not pose a threat to the public, Brack said.
EPFD responded with about 40 firefighters and 17 vehicles and EPFD and El Paso Police Department drones were used to assist and monitor the scene, Brack said.
El Paso train derailment impacts traffic
The I-10 West exit at Cotton Street and Missouri Avenue before Cotton Street will remains closed until further notice, EPFD said.
The freeway remained open even after initially it was believed the response would result in the closure of I-10 in both directions between Cotton Street and Downtown, police spokesperson Detective Judy Oviedo said in a media message. The train passes underneath a freeway overpass.
El Paso road closures
Oviedo said that streets will also be closed at:
Willow Street and Yandell Drive
Texas Avenue and Cotton Street
Cotton Street and Missouri Avenue
El Paso police are assisting with traffic control. Drivers are advised to find alternate routes to avoid delays.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso 18-car train derailment shuts down streets along I-10