A view of the train derailment near Irvine Friday afternoon (Photo courtesy Geoff Watson)

By Charles Lefebvre and Jessie Weisner - CHATNewsNOW

Evacuation order lifted for Irvine – detours remain

Aug 3, 2019 | 9:26 AM

Irvine, AB – Cypress County has officially lifted the evacuation order for the hamlet of Irvine and a seven-kilometre radius of the community.

The hamlet was evacuated for nearly eight hours after a Canadian Pacific Railway train derailed Friday (Aug 2) afternoon at approximately 3:20 p.m.

The derailment was on the west side of Irvine, along the north side of Highway-1. Cypress County closed Highway 1 between Highway-41 north of the Hamlet of Walsh.

The previous detour route north of Walsh and Irvine using Range Road 12 and Township Road 132 has been closed.

The public is advised to avoid all traffic in the area and expect delays for east and west bound travel until available access roads open again.

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It’s unknown when the roads will re open. Go to www.511.alberta.ca for up-to-date Road Report information.

According to a CP rail statement, “Two cars carrying styrene are leaking at a minimal rate from their top valves, though the small leaks are being contained. No other cars in the derailment were breached.”

Derailment near Irvine showing tanker cars (submitted by Geoff Watson)

“CP has established air monitoring in the area, has fire suppression systems on hand if required, and is taking every precaution to protect public safety as we respond to this incident,” the statement reads.

Crews worked on clean-up through the night and CP says the cause of the derailment is being investigated. They will work to fully remediate the area when it is safe to do so.