Yesterday afternoon, September 1, at 3:06 p.m. the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office (BPSO) received a 911 call regarding a train derailment on the Kansas City Southern Railway just west of Gibsland near the defunct Hercules Gas storage facility.
According to Bienville Parish Sheriff John Ballance, the railway bridge gave way causing an unknown number of cars containing corn to derail. There are no reports of any hazardous materials being involved, so no evacuations were necessary. No injuries were reported, as well.
Earlier reports had Oscar Kilpatrick and Slay Woodard Roads being blocked. They are now open, but while cleanups are being conducted Highway 80 is now closed between Oscar Kilpatrick Road and Martin Pond Road. The Louisiana Department of Transportation (LADOTD) reported that the highway will remain closed until Tuesday, September 5.
In a press release the LADOTD stated that the closure is necessary in order to allow the railroad company to mobilize equipment.
State police and BPSO deputies are manning barricades to ensure that only authorized personnel enter the derailment site at this time. They are asking that all motorists use caution while driving in this area.
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