Hazmat Spill Closes Martinez Amtrak Station

MARTINEZ, CA — A hazardous materials investigation Monday at the Amtrak Station in Martinez kept officials on the scene for hours and affected Capitol Corridor train service through the area.

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District first responded to 601 Marina Vista Ave. shortly after 3 p.m. Monday. There was a small amount — 1-1.5 pounds — of mercury that may have been released at the station, a Con Fire spokesperson told Patch.

It was not immediately clear where the mercury originated. Con Fire was investigating along with county hazmat officials, the spokesperson said.

The hazardous materials spill involved mercury found in the parking lot and resulted in the closure of the Martinez Amtrak Station, Contra Costa Health said on Twitter.

"CCH has no information that anyone has been harmed. HazMat crews are still on scene," county health officials said shortly before 7 p.m. Monday.

The fire department activity prompted Capitol Corridor trains to avoid stopping at the Martinez Amtrak station. Instead, trains were stopping near the old station depot and customers were using the Ferry Street road crossing, Capitol Corridor said in a service alert at 4:05 p.m. Monday.

In a later alert, Capitol Corridor said as of 5:52 p.m. due to the "ongoing fire department activity at Martinez (MTZ), customers holding connections for Train 14, Coast Starlight, will transfer at Stockton (SKN) and Sacramento (SAC)."

Station Remains Closed Tuesday; EPA, County Conduct Cleanup

Shortly before 9 p.m. Monday, the fire department cleared the scene and said the hazmat incident with mercury transitioned into continued assessment and cleanup by the EPA and county hazmat.

Capitol Corridor told its riders trains the Martinez Station would remain temporarily closed Tuesday. Therefore, trains at Martinez will stop near the old station depot and use the Ferry Street road crossing until otherwise notified.