No cause yet, and no indication yet as to what caused a Union Pacific train to leave the tracks along Highway One on Tuesday. Here is a brief statement confirming the accident from Union Pacific spokesperson Tim McMahan:
“At around 5 p.m. CT May 7 a Union Pacific mixed freight train collided with a tractor-trailer near Caspiana, LA.”
The state highway department has issued this notice of closure:
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that LA 1 from LA 175 to LA 509 in Caddo and Red River Parishes is CLOSED due to a train derailment.
Union Pacific Railroad crews and emergency response teams are on scene assessing the situation. At this time, there is no estimated time for reopening the roadway, as there are train cars in the lanes of travel.
DOTD will advise when the roadway has been reopened.
The Red River Sheriff’s Office said the derailment was in south Caddo Parish. State police and Caddo deputies are handling the investigation.
This is the third derailment incident involving Union Pacific freight trains in recent weeks. On March 22nd The Journal reported that Highway 509 intersection with Highway 1 was blocked for over a day due to a problem with several cars. None overturned in that incident.
On April 10th The Journal reported the second incident in which the train hit a water truck crossing the tracks. Over twenty cars loaded with grain and an engine left the tracks. The last remains of that wreck is still being cleaned up.
