(The following story by Shannon Fiecke appeared on the Shakopee Valley News website on March 27.)
SHAKOPEE, Minn. — A train bridge collapsed Friday afternoon near the Minnesota River, derailing six Union Pacific railroad cars.
The six cars were carrying sugar that may have spilled into the swampy area by Gifford Lake, close to Carver.
The cause of the collapse is still under investigation. Samples of the water have been taken to determine sugar content.
“Fortunately and thankfully, no one was injured,” said Union Pacific Director of Media Relations, James Barnes on Monday. “Any sugar will be removed.”
The approximately 145-foot wooden bridge covers a slough that connects to the Minnesota River, between the area of 130th and 145th Streets, Barnes said.
Two or three of the rail cars were at least partially or fully submerged in water, said Capt. Greg Muelken of the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.
The accident occurred on the east side of the river, Muelken said.
Because waters there are about six feet above flood stage (and no hazardous materials were spilled), Barnes said it could be three to four weeks before the cars can be removed.
Muelken said a couple deputies rode out on a maintenance-type rail vehicle to assess the situation with rail workers, but left the scene shortly thereafter, because Union Pacific law enforcement arrived.
The train — nearly 1,500 feet long with 18 loaded and five empty rail cars — was traveling from New Prague and serving local customers, Barnes said.
Because it was a local train — and not on the main rail line — the collapse won’t disrupt other rail services, he said.
Union Pacific has met with state environmental officials to develop a plan for removing any sugar from the riverbank, Barnes said, as well as the six rail cars.
A barge carrying a crane will be brought in to remove the cars, he said.
Barnes didn’t know what the elevation of the train bridge is and whether the cars tipped over.