PORTLAND, Ore. — A busy bridge into a Portland industrial area could be backed up for weeks or even months as a result of a Union Pacific derailment on Saturday.
Four of the six lanes of the North Going Street bridge have been shut down after two locomotives and three tank cars derailed in a Union Pacific yard and hit bridge supports, the Oregonian reports. An inspection on Sunday found two support beams and part of the bridge deck had been damaged.
The bridge provides the sole public access to Swan Island, which includes several warehouses and delivery centers. With just one lane open in each direction, companies such as FedEx and United Parcel Service, which both have hubs on the island, could face major delays.
The Associated Press reports that the derailment occurred about 9:20 a.m. on Saturday. The three tank cars were carrying liquefied petroleum gas but no leak occurred.
Union Pacific said it is investigating the cause of the derailment.
