Newsletter: East Palestine Train Derailment Response, 10-17-2023
Newsletter serving Serving East Palestine, Negley, Darlington, and surrounding communities
On this page:
- Progress Made
- The Look Ahead
- Site Status Check
- Welcome Center Changes
- Community Corner
- Top 3 Questions of the Week
- Safety Minute
- Stay Informed
- About this Publication
Progress Made
Car Scrapping Area 4 and South Ditch Excavation Nears Completion
Contaminated soil excavation continues in a few remaining areas to the south of the railroad tracks. Soil is removed in grid-like areas, and soil from each grid is extensively tested. Once sample results show contamination is removed, then the grids can be backfilled with clean fill material.
Additional Soil Sampling is Underway
Soil samples are currently being collected to make sure areas where equipment, materials and debris were handled did not leave any contamination behind. Soil samples will also be collected again from other locations adjacent to the excavated areas, to make sure no contamination has been overlooked. Results will be posted to EPA’s website once they become available.
Soil Sampling Results
Soil samples are currently being collected to make sure areas where equipment, materials and debris were handled did not leave any contamination behind. Soil samples will also be collected again from other locations adjacent to the excavated areas, to make sure no contamination has been overlooked. Results will be posted to EPA’s website once they become available.
Air Monitoring Update
As excavation work is completed over the next few weeks, the air monitoring and sampling program will be evaluated, and changes will be made as needed. EPA will keep the community informed of any changes.
Taggart Road Phase 2 Reopening
As major construction activities wind down, Taggart Street will enter the Phase 2 reopening process. The road will be open all day in both directions, but with reduced speed and periodic traffic interruptions of up to 15 minutes each. It is anticipated this will start on October 23.
East Taggart Street Phased Reopening
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Phase 1
Beginning Sept. 25
- Open nightly from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. to traffic.
- Traffic restrictions include limited speeds near work area.
- Road remains closed during the daytime hours.
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Phase 2
October 23*
- Open all day to traffic.
- Reduced speeds near work area.
- Periodic traffic interruptions with waits up to 15+ minutes to allow trucks to enter and leave the work site.
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Phase 3
January 2024*
- Open all day to traffic.
- Continued traffic control until site cleanup operations are complete and road fully opens without restrictions.
- *dates subject to change and dependent on site progress
The Look Ahead
At the Derailment Site
- On-site excavation will continue.
- Additional soil sampling will continue in areas near the derailment site where equipment, materials, and debris were handled as part of the overall emergency response and in other areas adjacent to excavation zones.
- Sampling results from the on-site wastewater treatment system show treated wastewater can be disposed of off-site as non-hazardous. Each tank of treated wastewater is sampled before being shipped off-site.
- Excavated hazardous soil waste will continue to be shipped off-site.
In the Greater Community
- Taggart Street will continue to be open at night from 7:30 pm to 5:30 am. Starting on October 23, the street will be open all day with periodic traffic interruptions of up to 15 minutes. Due to likely traffic delays on Taggart Street, alternate routes are recommended.
- Stationary and mobile air monitoring continues around the community and within the derailment site.
- Surface water sampling and visual inspections continue in Sulphur and Leslie Runs.
Community Corner
Household hazardous waste collection day for Columbiana, Carroll and Harrison County residents is Thursday, October 26, from 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Columbiana County Fairground, 225 Lee Ave. Lisbon. Accepted include adhesives, aerosols, antifreeze, batteries (not auto batteries), fertilizers/ pesticides, fluorescent bulbs, gasoline/kerosene, household cleaners, mercury, oil-based paint, pool chemicals, propane cylinders, roof and driveway sealers, turpentine, and varnishes/stains/thinners/primers. Leave wastes in original containers and no containers larger than five gallons will be accepted. The collection is hosted by Carroll, Columbiana and Harrison Solid Waste District.
Did You Know?
As days get cooler and shorter, you might notice the colors of fall becoming more vibrant. What causes these normally forest green leaves to take on hues of orange, gold, red, purple, and brown? Interestingly, the autumn colors are dormant in the spring and summer, hidden by the dominant and familiar shade of green. In these warmer seasons, when sunlight is strongest, chlorophyll, which reflects the characteristic green color, is responsible for turning the rays of light into food for the tree, bush, or plant. As days shorten, so does the plant’s exposure to sunlight. Because of this, the chlorophyll no longer can produce as much food and begins to breakdown, leaving sugars behind that allow bright fall pigments to shine through.
Site Status Check as of October 13
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North Track: In operation
South Track: In operation -
Leslie Run: Stream monitoring is ongoing
Sulphur Run: Stream monitoring is ongoing -
159,371 est. tons of solid waste shipped offsite
Top 3 Questions of the Week
Stay Informed
EPA continues to release short videos called “This Week at E.P.” to share upcoming work at the site. You can find them on our website: East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment Videos
Follow the EPA Great Lakes Facebook and Twitter pages for social media updates on the ongoing cleanup and other EPA activities in your region.