The Minnesota Department of Transportation has provided an update on the closure of Highway 59 south of Lancaster. The highway was closed Wednesday, May 31 due to a train derailment.
The detour is now expected to last for up to two weeks. It takes motorists onto Highway 175 and Kittson County Road 5. Initially, MnDOT expected the detour would be in effect for two or three days. Twenty-four railcars derailed at about 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City reported 13 of the railcars were carrying hazardous materials. Five cars were empty and had last contained asphalt. Six loaded cars contained naphtha, and two loaded cars contained decene. Both products are flammable liquids. No injuries or hazardous leaks were reported.
“Our teams continue to coordinate with the local first responders and regulatory agencies, including the EPA and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, on cleanup of the involved railcars, which have been removed from the track, and restoration of the site,” CPKC said in its statement.
On Thursday afternoon, the rail corridor was reopened after track repairs and safety inspections were completed.
The cause of the derailment is under investigation.