“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 caused a spill from one of the railcars.
The derailment occurred east of Glendale Avenue near Keele Street, blocking traffic in the area. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, and emergency services quickly assessed the situation. Hannan added, “CN would like to apologize for the inconveniences caused by this incident.”
Crews worked diligently to remove the derailed railcars from the Glendale Avenue crossing, allowing vehicles to flow again later in the morning. However, the derailment has left a bridge on the Welland Canal inoperable, leading to further disruptions in shipping traffic.
As a result of the incident, Lakeshore West GO trains are currently unable to stop at both St. Catharines and Niagara Falls GO stations, affecting local commuters. The cause of the derailment is still under investigation, and details remain unconfirmed.
Authorities, including the Niagara Regional Police and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp., are closely monitoring the situation as cleanup efforts continue. The community is advised to stay informed about the developments regarding this incident.
