Derailed train blocks NE Cherry Ave railroad crossing
Update, 3:30 p.m.
Salem police have reopened Northeast Pine and Broadway streets following a train derailment the afternoon of Thursday, April 23.
Northeast Cherry Avenue remains closed between Northeast Johnson Avenue and Northeast Salem Industrial Drive and may remain closed overnight, police said.
Original story below:
Getting between Salem and Keizer via Northeast Cherry Avenue will be complicated for the next few hours after a train tipped over, knocking down power lines, spilling debris on the road and blocking traffic.
The incident happened at 2840 Cherry Avenue N.E. at 12:43 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, according to Assistant Salem Fire Chief Brian Carrara. There were no injuries.
“It is going to slow everything down for hours. Do not go in that direction…that is my advice,” Carrara said.
The derailing train hit a semi-truck, the Salem Police Department said in a statement. The agency said there’s no known hazardous waste spill.
Carrara said the Salem Fire Department was on the scene for about 45 minutes, and the situation is now being handled by Salem police.
Portland & Western Railroad General Manager Scott Boyter did not have more information about the incident as of Thursday afternoon.
Salem police said the following road closures were in effect:
- Northeast Cherry Avenue is closed both directions from Northeast Pine Street to Northeast Salem Industrial Drive.
- Northeast Broadway Street is closed in both directions at Northeast Maple Street NE.
- Parents picking up students at Oregon School for the Deaf they will need to approach the school from the west (Broadway) or south (Pine); there is no access from Cherry Avenue.
Contact reporter Joe Siess: [email protected].
Joe Siess is a reporter for Salem Reporter. Joe joined Salem Reporter in 2024 and primarily covers city and county government but loves surprises. Joe previously reported for the Redmond Spokesman, the Bulletin in Bend, Klamath Falls Herald and News and the Malheur Enterprise. He was born in Independence, MO, where the Oregon Trail officially starts, and grew up in the Kansas City area.
2 Comments
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This rail line has the worst crossings in Salem, especially Industrial Drive, Cherry Street, and Pine Street. They blocked MINTO-BROWN and now this. Someone needs to look into the management of a rail line that runs through the middle of the city.
This was a derailment, not anything like what happened at Minto-Brown.