MARTINEZ, Calif. — The Amtrak station in Martinez has been closed after a mercury spill was discovered in the station’s parking lot, Bay City News Service reports.
Hazardous material teams responded to a reported spill at the station about 5:45 p.m. Monday evening, Contra Costa Health reported. The scene was eventually cleared, but the station will remain closed today (Tuesday, May 9) while an investigation continues. No injuries were reported. Mercury is highly toxic, mostly when encountered in the form of vapor.
KPIX-TV reports that train passengers are loading and disembarking at Ferry Street, a short distance east of the station.
The Martinez station is heavily used, handling more than 176,500 passengers in fiscal 2022, according to Amtrak’s Great American Stations website. It is a stop for the California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, and Capital Corridor and San Joaquins service, seeing 38 trains a day on weekdays.
Just east of the temporary location, Ferry Street, is at the SP station.