Norfolk Southern Railroad has provided Ohio environmental officials with a proposed action plan to remediate environmental damage stemming from a Feb. 3 freight train derailment and ensuing fire in East Palestine, near the Pennsylvania border, which released toxic chemicals into the air, soil and water, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate.
Developed and submitted on the railroad’s behalf by Arcadis US Inc., the plan aims to build on response measures implemented in the hours and days following the mishap. The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the incident, has confirmed that a mechanical issue with one of the rail car axles caused about 50 of the 150-car Norfolk Southern train to leave the tracks.