Most roads have reopened after derailment near Plainfield

Most roads have reopened in Plainfield after a train carrying crude oil derailed about 40 miles southwest of Chicago.

Plainfield police say it will take several days to clean up an estimated 45,000 gallons of oil near Route 59 and Riverwalk Court, near the village’s downtown business district.

Twenty train cars belonging to Canadian National Railway derailed about 6:30 p.m. Friday east of 143rd Street and Van Dyke Road, according to Plainfield police and Canadian National spokesman Patrick Waldron.

Oil leaked from at least two cars and possibly a third, with much of it flowing into trenches that were dug for a natural gas pipeline.

There were no injuries. A few businesses nearby were evacuated, but no homes were affected.

Several roadways were closed overnight, including 143rd Street, Naperville/Plainfield Road, Route 126 (Main Street), Center Street, Eastern Avenue, Lockport Street and Riverwalk Court, police said. All streets except for Riverwalk were reopened by 9:35 a.m. Saturday.

Police say Plainfield residents are not in any immediate danger.

Sgt. Mike Fisher says the DuPage River is nearby, but oil hasn’t reached it. The cause of the derailment was being investigated Saturday.