LAFAYETTE, La.—Authorities reopened a railroad overpass Monday that was closed when a train derailment spilled 10,000 gallons of hydrochloric acid and forced the evacuation of more than 3,000 residents.
All evacuated residents were allowed to return home Sunday, but the Ambassador Caffery overpass remained closed so Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development experts could inspect the bridge for damage from the acid spill.
Louisiana State Police Trooper David Anderson said the overpass reopened Monday evening. A one-mile evacuation radius was cut to 200 feet from the accident site.
"Everything should be back to normal except for a couple of railway tracks they have to fix," Anderson said Monday.
Crews were cleaning up the acid that spilled when six train cars rolled off the tracks on Saturday. Dr. Jimmy Guidry, the state's chief health officer, said the area was safe but advised people to open windows and air-out rooms.
BNSF, the Texas rail company that operated the train, was investigating. Its results were to be handed over to the Federal Railroad Administration.
Saturday's wreck spread a toxic cloud over Lafayette, in the heart of Cajun country about 125 miles west of New Orleans. Five people, including two railroad workers, were sent to a hospital and treated after complaining of skin and eye irritation, state police said.
Since the derailment, about 20 people have sought treatment for symptoms and all were released, said Dr. Tina Stefanski, regional public health director.
The evacuees included 161 nursing home residents, about 35 of whom were taken to hospitals because they were too frail to be moved to other facilities, state officials said.
Faust said BNSF would reimburse evacuated residents for hotel and restaurant bills incurred during the evacuation.
Hydrochloric acid can cause respiratory problems and skin and eye irritation.
The train had been headed to Lake Charles, near the Texas border, about 75 miles west of Lafayette, Faust said.
