Saturday, January 18, 2025
17.0°F

MRL derailment cleanup nears completion

Adam Robertson/Mineral Independent | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 3 months AGO
by Adam Robertson/Mineral Independent
| October 9, 2013 1:56 PM

Investigations are still underway as to the cause of the Montana Rail Link derailment of 23 freight cars in late August of this year.

According to MRL Public Information Officer Lynda Frost, cleanup of the area is mostly complete and should be finished within the next two weeks.

“There are still some two-by-fours there,” Frost said. “But they are in the process of getting that cleaned up.”

According to Frost, the line is in use and there have been no more delays or reroutes as a result of the accident. Frost said it is difficult to say how long the investigation will take, but they are looking into it.

The train derailed in the early morning on Wednesday, August 28, dropping two-by-fours and wood chips across the hillside and putting four freight cars in the Clark Fork River. Due to the remoteness of the site, initial estimates on when the tracks would be cleared were delayed because of challenges in getting the necessary equipment to the area.

MORE IMPORTED STORIES

MRL train derails near Superior
Valley Press-Mineral Independent | Updated 11 years, 4 months ago
Cleanup begins after freight train derails into Yellowstone River
Daily Inter-Lake | Updated 1 year, 6 months ago
Cleanup begins after freight train derails into Yellowstone River
Valley Press-Mineral Independent | Updated 1 year, 6 months ago

ARTICLES BY ADAM ROBERTSON/MINERAL INDEPENDENT

Grand Opening
January 22, 2014 10:33 a.m.

Grand Opening

The new St. Regis Senior Center was dedicated to Maxine Flemming, a member of the center since 1983. Her name and picture appears on a plaque to be displayed in the new center.

March 5, 2014 1:44 p.m.

Icy highways lead to a weekend of accidents

MINERAL COUNTY – As blizzard-like conditions swept through the area late last week Interstate 90 became an ice rink and accident reports flooded in as traffic tried to navigate the hazardous roads. The heavy snows began on Thursday, Feb. 27, and only let up periodically over the next few days. According to Mineral County Sheriff’s Office dispatch, approximately 12 accidents occurred between Thursday and Sunday, March 2. Most of these were cases where vehicles slid off the road or spun out. According to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Charles Burton, they were almost all caused by people driving too fast on the slick roads. “The weather has definitely been a factor,” Burton said. “People need to slow down a bit.” Burton also responded to an accident where a vehicle with a trailer hit some ice and the trailer fell over. On Friday, Feb. 28, Mineral County Sheriff Ernie Ornelas and the Mineral County Sheriff’s Deputies were kept busy for most of the day assisting with the flood of calls. While there were no investigations opened, the sheriff’s office was on hand to help with the accidents. While the Superior ambulances were also busy responding to calls, there were very few serious injuries. According to Mineral Community Hospital personnel, the hospital did not see many people with injuries resulting from the conditions. Burton said the Montana Department of Transportation was doing the best they could to keep Interstate 90 and the state highways clear. It was a daunting task as the cold temperatures and heavy snow kept the roads slick. The Montana Highway Patrol recommends everyone drive safely and go a safe speed for the road conditions.

Bobcats
March 5, 2014 1:27 p.m.

Bobcats

Tucker Smith moves to block a Hot Springs player during a Superior home game earlier this season.