Five freight train cars derail on Portland’s Steel Bridge, shutting vehicle traffic for five hours

PORTLAND, Ore. (KGW/KTVZ) — Five empty freight cars derailed on the lower deck of Portland's Streel Bridge Monday morning, halting vehicle traffic for nearly five hours, KGW reported.

The upper and lower decks of the Steel Bridge were shut down to all vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic for nearly five hours and the closure impacted TriMet MAX light-rail lines.

The Oregon Department of Transportation reopened the bridge just before 11 a.m. ODOT had said it would reopen the bridge only after inspections showed it was safe to do so.

A hazmat team with PF&R also responded to determine whether there were any hazmat issues. As of 11 a.m., no hazmat issues have been reported.

"The train cars are empty. Clean up is underway, and the cause of the derailment is under investigation," Union Pacific said in a statement to KGW around 9:40 a.m.

Union Pacific and BNSF Railway share the railroad track on the Steel Bridge, according to PF&R. The agency said it's working with Union Pacific to develop a plan "for mitigation of this derailment."

There are currently no reports of any injuries.