Last Updated on June 26, 2023 at 1:28pm
Soil removed from underneath both tracks,
further work continues in the surrounding area
ATLANTA, June 26, 2023 – Fulfilling a commitment made in February, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) has completed remediating both tracks that run through East Palestine. The removal of impacted soil from underneath and between the tracks marks another milestone in Norfolk Southern’s commitment to clean up the derailment site safely, thoroughly, and with urgency.
“We promised to listen to residents and support East Palestine for the long haul. Fully cleaning up both tracks shows that we are keeping our promises,” said Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan H. Shaw. “We fully understand our responsibility to make things right in East Palestine, and as we mark this phase of remediation, we are dedicated to making further progress and investing in the community.”
The track remediation process included excavating impacted soil and replacing it with approved backfill material, as well as replacing the tracks. Both tracks were reinstalled under a U.S. EPA-approved protocol that confirmed all impacted soil had been excavated. With this phase completed, rail traffic will resume a normal schedule in the coming weeks. Additional remediation work will continue at the site, including:
- Characterization of soil in potentially impacted areas outside of the tracks
- Additional soil excavation and restoration in other impacted areas
- Management and disposal of additional waste
- Assessment and washing of Sulphur and Leslie Run
Regular testing continues to show the air and water are safe. To date, the company has excavated and transported more than 73,000 tons of soil off-site for proper disposal. Additionally, over 20 million gallons of impacted water have been recovered and transported off-site. All of Norfolk Southern’s site work has been supervised by the U.S. and Ohio Environmental Protection Agencies and Unified Command.
Norfolk Southern has also made significant investments in the East Palestine community. In the last few weeks, the company has opened a new, centralized Family Assistance Center, donated a historic train depot to the village, and funded development of a master plan for the city park. To date, Norfolk Southern has committed and invested more than $62.3 million to initiatives aimed at restoring and supporting the community. Additional community efforts are underway, with more to be announced in the months ahead.
For more information on Norfolk Southern’s community engagement and progress in East Palestine, please visit: NSMakingItRight.com.
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About Norfolk Southern
Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., serving a majority of the country’s population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.
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