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Concerns Being Raised As Crews Continue CSX Derailment Cleanup

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Crews are continuing to clear the scene after Monday's CSX train derailment in Baltimore.

One by one rail cars are righted and dragged clear of the Howard Street tunnel. 24-hours ago it was a far different scene when 13 cars derailed, one containing flammable acetone.

There were no leaks, no fires, but that's small comfort to some.

"It could have easily been an oil train, and these things have been known to explode. In fact two weeks ago in Oregon an oil train derailed and exploded," said Jon Kenney, with Chesapeake Climate Action Network "These trains go through the Howard Street tunnel. They go past Ravens stadium and South Baltimore.

Yesterday's derailment is bringing calls to a bill stalled in the city council, be advanced to study the risks of oil trains and other hazardous cargo.

"I'm one of 165,000 people who live within the blast zone," said resident Chauna Brocht.

"These huge explosions are happening across the country. People are dying. People are getting sick. Their homes are being destroyed because of this, and that's not ok," said Destiny Watford who lives in Curtis Bay.

But will yesterday's close call prompt the city to study the risks and share them with residents?

Kenney says it will  definitely increases the urgency.

Whether this most recent derailment motivates a hearing on the bill, is unknown at this time.

The cause of the derailment remains under investigation.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY:

Howard Street will remain closed due to ongoing trail derailment activity:

Southbound Full Closure of Howard Street at North Avenue
Detours in both directions (southbound left-turn allowed)

-East: Maryland Avenue

-West: Mount Royal Avenue

Northbound Full Closure of Howard Street at Park Avenue

Lane closure beginning on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to encourage drivers to use Read Street to Chase Street to Biddle Street.

Detour Routes also include:

-Howard Street to Dolphin Street to Eutaw Place

-Howard Street to Park Avenue

Northbound Cathedral Street closed at Biddle Street.

Cathedral Street in both directions will be closed between Preston Street and Mount Royal Avenue.

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