Heavy Traffic on Highway 60

Interstate 40 in both directions near the New Mexico-Arizona state line remained closed Saturday following a freight train derailment and fire that forced evacuations in the surrounding area, authorities said.

The McKinley County Sheriff’s Office said the derailment involving a BNSF Railway train happened around 12:40 p.m. Friday, and county Fire Rescue responded.

“It was discovered that approximately 35 rail cars carrying mixed freight derailed, six of which contained liquefied petroleum gas, otherwise known as propane,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post Saturday morning.

The sheriff’s office said no injuries were reported.

“To mitigate existing conditions and for the safety of the surrounding community, evacuations were issued and remain in place for residents within a two-mile radius of the derailment site,” the sheriff’s office said.

In a customer notification, BNSF said the wreck happened about 22 miles southwest of Gallup.

“As this incident occurred on the Southern Transcon, our primary route between Southern California and the Midwest, rail operations have been significantly impacted,” the company said. “Both main line tracks in this location are currently out of service.”

“The estimated time for opening the track has not been determined at this time,” BNSF added.

The McKinley County Sheriff’s Office said BNSF was working with displaced residents “to provide all necessary lodging and accommodations. Additionally, air monitoring and fire suppression assessments are ongoing at the derailment.”

In Arizona, the eastbound lanes of I-40 are closed at Holbrook, about 70 miles from the Arizona-New Mexico line, the Arizona Department of Transportation said.

“Travelers on the detour route can utilize State Route 77 or U.S. 180 to get on U.S. 60 into New Mexico,” the agency said. “Motorists are advised to expect long delays on the detour route and to seek an alternate route or postpone travel plans through the area. Interstate travelers looking to pass through Arizona are encouraged to use southern routes, including Interstate 10.”

Westbound, the New Mexico Department of Transportation said I-40 is closed to all traffic at mile marker 89, or Grants, adding that there is no detour available and to seek an alternate route.

“All commercial motor vehicles (CMV) are advised to use N.M. 6 to access I-25 southbound if they are past Albuquerque,” the NMDOT said in its news release. “CMV are advised to use Exit 126 (N.M. 6 to Los Lunas/Belen interchange) to access I-25 southbound if past Albuquerque.”