FBI Completes Tempe Train Derailment Investigation; Cleanup Work Moves Quickly

By Ron Dungan
Published: Tuesday, August 4, 2020 - 8:13am
Updated: Tuesday, August 4, 2020 - 8:14am

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derailed train
Chad Snow/KJZZ
A freight train traveling on a bridge that spans Tempe Town Lake derailed July 29, 2020.

The FBI has concluded its investigation of a train derailment at the Salt River Union Pacific Bridge over Tempe Town Lake, which has paved the way for a fast cleanup.

Workers have removed much of the debris since the derailment on July 29.

One damaged section was full of lumber and twisted metal, which created a dangerous situation for workers. On Sunday, crews demolished that portion. 

The blast broke up that section into small parts. Since then, the work has moved quickly.

Workers blew up a damaged section of the Salt River Union Pacific Bridge over Tempe Town Lake on Sunday.

Union Pacific spokesman Clint Schelbitzki said the railroad hopes the work can proceed quickly.

“Our goal is very similar to the city’s, and the residents’. We want to clean this up, we want to get the railroad back in service, we want to reopen Town Lake, we want to reopen the park, and the roadway,” he said.