Bath Road expected to be closed all weekend due to train derailment

Bath Road between Armstrong Road and Queen Mary Road in Kingston is expected to be closed through the entire weekend for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic following a train derailment on the morning of Friday, May 5, 2023.

Kingston Police explained in a statement on the incident that the extended closure would be required due to repairs and heavy machinery usage regarding the train derailment.

“The City of Kingston has arranged to have Kingston Transit shuttle pedestrians from the Red Lobster lot at Bath Road/Queen Mary Road over to a former stop at the northwest corner of Bath Road/Armstrong Road,” Kingston Police continued.

Officials have confirmed that some of the cars were hauling hexamethylenediamine, an organic compound often used in the manufacturing of plastics. Although hexamethylenediamine is considered hazardous – the compound is corrosive to skin and eyes and can lead to tightness in breathing – emergency responders continued to survey the scene without any protective gear, indicating that there appeared to be no immediate threat to those in the area.

Kingston Fire and Rescue (KFR) stated that while a hazardous materials hot zone was set up as a precaution, the area is still undergoing assessment, and at this point, no serious leaks have been discovered.

“Officials from the Ontario Environment Ministry are now on scene,” KFR stated. “Emergency Management with the City of Kingston says evacuation of nearby homes is not required because substances being assessed on scene do not have an airborne risk or hazard.”

Kingston Fire & Rescue, Kingston Police, personnel from the INVISTA plant and CN remain at the site. According to KFR, crew from CN is supporting clean-up efforts. 

With files from Tori Stafford. // This is a developing story. Check back later for further updates.