The Federal and local agencies overseeing the clean-up of East Palestine after the train derailment in February are announcing the planned reopening of East Taggart Street in the village.

The road, which is currently closed from east of North Pleasant Drive to the Ohio-Pennsylvania border— averages more than 75 trucks per day hauling waste, equipment, and materials in and out of
the cleanup work areas.

But after more than seven months, the road is set to reopen to public traffic - in three phases.

Phase I: Beginning Monday, September 25, East Taggart Street will be opened in both directions for all traffic after 7:30 p.m. through 5:29 a.m.. Safety controls will remain in effect including reduced speed limits. Taggart Street will remain closed during daytime operations from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Phase II, tentatively set for Monday, October 23: East Taggart Street will reopen in both directions all day. Periodic traffic stoppage—of up to 15 minutes or more—should be expected during daytime working hours to allow for truck traffic entering and leaving the cleanup site.

Phase III (Anticipated to begin at the end of the year): As the project continues with confirmation soil sampling, East Taggart Street will continue to be open to traffic in both directions all day, with intermittent traffic stoppages. This is anticipated to continue through the first quarter of 2024, when
the project is expected to be completed.

Officials overseeing the project state while there are no anticipated health risks along East Taggart Street associated with project activities, the potential for cleanup-related odors may exist.

While traffic will be able to proceed through the work areas along East Taggart Street, access to active work areas will remain restricted for public safety.

Anyone with questions or concerns, please contact the EPA Information Line at 330-775-6517.