Freight Train Derails In NJ, Spilling Chemicals And Closing Highway Near Lincoln Tunnel

NORTH BERGEN, NJ — Emergency crews rushed to a freight train derailment and chemical spill in northern New Jersey just before 5 p.m., officials said.

Route 3, a highway that leads to the Lincoln Tunnel, has been closed in both directions, said North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco.

Sacco said that the freight train derailed near the junction of Routes 3 and 9, three miles from the tunnel.

“We are actively responding to a freight train derailment in North Bergen involving a spill from one of the rail cars," Sacco said. "The substance has been identified as ethyl acetate, and our Hazmat teams are currently working to safely mitigate the situation by diluting it with large amounts of water."

Ethyl acetate is a flammable substance with a sweet smell that is used in nail polish remover and other products.

Sacco said there were no reported injuries as of 5 p.m.

While Route 3 has been closed in both directions near Tonnelle Avenue, Tonnelle Avenue itself remains open, he said.

Local police and fire departments, EMS, and the Jersey City Hazmat team have responded, he said.

This is a developing story. Patch will update it as more information is available.

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