Train blocks Redmond crossing for 2-plus hours

Traffic was a headache on the south end of Redmond for much of Monday afternoon when a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train encountered mechanical trouble and blocked a key crossing for over two hours, police said.

Redmond police responded around 2:15 p.m. to the reported blockage at the Airport Way/Yew Avenue crossing around 2:15 p.m., said Lt. Keith Knight.

BNSF crews arrived a short time later, but it took until about 4:45 p.m. to move the train and reopen the roadway for car traffic, Knight said.

Railroad spokesman Gus Melonas said the freight train “needed mechanical attention, and we had to wait on a crew to arrive to repair” it.