NS enhances Ohio cleanup plan, agrees to paid sick leave for BMWED members

Norfolk Southern Railway yesterday announced it will excavate the soil and replace the tracks in the derailment area in East Palestine, Ohio, as part of an enhanced remediation plan.

The change comes in response to feedback from East Palestine residents. Originally, NS planned to remediate the soil under the tracks. Work on the first rail line will begin immediately, with the second line to be replaced directly afterward, NS officials said in a press release.

The railroad is working with local, state and federal agencies on the remediation. To date, NS has excavated more than 4,800 cubic yards of soil, or approximately 400 truckloads. Additionally, 1.7 million gallons of liquid have been collected for disposal.

Under the enhanced plan, soil preparation will be followed by track removal along the first rail line, excavation of the soil, and then rebuilding the track. The same process will then follow with the second track. Trains will continue running at slower speeds on one track while the other is being excavated.

"It is important to me that the members of this community have confidence in Norfolk Southern's remediation efforts and that we are working closely with local, state and federal agencies," said NS President and CEO Alan Shaw.

Yesterday, Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown took part in a scheduled inspection of the 11 derailed tank cars, and toured the derailment site with firefighters, rail-car owners, NS support staff and members of the National Transportation Safety Board.

Today, the NTSB released its preliminary report on its investigation of the derailment.

Meanwhile, NS and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWED) announced yesterday they’ve reached an agreement that calls for up to seven paid sick days per year for employees.

The new agreement will be available to about 3,000 workers who maintain the Class I’s track and infrastructure, NS officials said in a press release. NS is in discussions with all its unions to implement ways to enhance employees' quality of life and work predictability, they added.