Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese (D-Bergen, Passaic), Chair of the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee, issued the following statement today on yesterday’s train derailment in North Bergen:
“Yesterday’s ( April 14, 2026)CSX freight train derailment in Hudson County is a stark reminder that vigilance in rail safety is essential. I am grateful there were no reported injuries and that emergency responders acted swiftly to contain the situation.
“In recent years, there has been growing concern nationwide about the transportation of hazardous materials by rail, particularly through densely populated communities like those in New Jersey. In response, this past January, the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed into law, my rail safety legislation, A4460.
“While a trade association representing major freight rail carriers, including CSX, has challenged this law in court, it is designed to establish critical safety requirements for trains carrying hazardous materials, including a minimum two-person crew in most circumstances and a statewide program to oversee the installation, maintenance, and operation of advanced wayside detector systems to identify mechanical defects before they lead to incidents.
“These commonsense measures are intended to reduce the likelihood of derailments and improve our ability to detect and prevent dangerous conditions before they escalate.
“As Chairman of the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee, I will continue working to advance transportation policies that protect our communities and strengthen public safety.”