Norfolk Southern: East Palestine derailment restoration now complete

EAST PALESTINE  Norfolk Southern has announced the completion of the restoration work at the site of the fiery February 2023 train derailment and chemical spill in East Palestine. The railroad's declaration, published in a weekly update, states that cleanup efforts and associated air monitoring have concluded.

The company's online update noted that "site restoration activities are complete, and the associated particulate air monitoring has concluded." The railroad reported that equipment demobilization is ongoing and is being carried out to avoid disrupting local traffic.

The announcement comes over two and a half years after the February 3, 2023, derailment, which led to a controlled burn and forced the evacuation of a portion of the village.

Norfolk Southern reported that the final assessment of Sulphur and Leslie Runs, two waterways affected by the derailment, found no derailment-related sheens. The company stated the results from this assessment, including sediment sampling, will be provided to the Environmental Protection Agency in the coming weeks.

Data from March and April 2025 stream reassessments were sent to the EPA on June 20. The company states that two previous surface water assessments in 2024 identified no human health risks associated with the derailment.

The railroad noted that monitoring of surface water, groundwater, sediments, and drinking water continues according to a set schedule. The company's online information indicates more than 74 million gallons of impacted water and over 219,000 tons of waste soil have been removed from the site. Additionally, the company stated it has collected more than 1,700 samples of drinking water from wells.

Norfolk Southern said it has made several financial commitments to East Palestine, including over $115 million for community support. This includes direct assistance to first responders and a $25 million contribution to a local city park revitalization project.

The company also established a $25 million community health program to provide medical exams and mental health services for up to 20 years.

In April 2024, the railroad reached a $600 million class action settlement for those impacted by the derailment.

However, the financial settlement with residents faces ongoing delays. A federal judge removed the initial settlement administrator, Kroll Settlement Administration, in June after it was found to have miscalculated some payments. Epiq has since taken over the process.

Mindy Bish, a managing partner with the Keenan Law Firm, said residents are exploring legal action against the initial administrator for payment delays. The firm has scheduled a public meeting with residents on Sept. 22 to discuss possible next steps.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. at the Best Western Plus Dutch Haus Inn and Suites in Columbiana.