ARKANSAS COUNTY, Ark. — Update: In an updated incident report, ARDOT said crews successfully cleared the train car off the road just after 10 p.m. on Saturday. As of 3:00 p.m. on Monday, May 27 all train operations are back to normal.
On Friday, 40 Union Pacific train cars went off the tracks in Arkansas County near Stuttgart, one of which even went onto Highway 79 and blocked traffic.
No injuries or releases were reported from the derailment, and crews have been on the scene since trying to clear the damage.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) said they've been working to divert people who can no longer take Highway 79. According to an ARDOT crash report, travelers are advised to take Highway 146 as an alternative route.
"Getting any alternative routes to people in that area," ARDOT Communications Director Dave Parker said. "That's what we're focused on."
A Union Pacific spokesperson said an investigation into the cause of the derailment is ongoing. Although the investigation is in its preliminary stages, Parker said he has a working theory of what may have happened: high winds due to severe weather.
“Initial reports were that it was because of high winds,” Parker said. “Obviously, there will be more of an investigation into it, but that's the preliminary cause, what we were told.”
Parker said crews will ensure Highway 79 is in proper driving condition before opening it back up.
"We'll make sure that it's in decent shape," Parker said. "Nothing there could create a hazard or safety issue for drivers."
