[Archived] City of Alexandria Provides Updates on Freight Train Derailment

For Immediate Release: May 19, 2018

The City of Alexandria remains at the scene of a CSX freight train that derailed in the Eisenhower corridor shortly after 7 a.m. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is the lead investigating agency, and Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt III provided a public briefing at 5:30 p.m.

Chairman Sumwalt confirmed there were no reported injuries to anyone on or off the train, and none of the approximately 31 cars that derailed contained hazardous materials.  Although first responders arriving at the scene observed that a railway bridge had failed, the NTSB’s initial findings suggest the train derailed prior to the bridge and struck the bridge while derailing.

There will be an extensive operation to resolve the derailment and continue to investigate the cause.  There are no current road closures related to this incident. Passenger and freight trains continue to move through the area at slow speed, which may impact Monday commuters.

For media inquiries regarding the City’s emergency response, contact Raytevia Evans, Senior Public Information Officer, at raytevia.evans@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5190.

For media inquiries regarding the train or rail operations, contact CSX at 855-955-6397.

Note: This news release updates information initially provided in a news release at alexandriava.gov/104345.