Norfolk Southern to open training center in Ohio
Stretch of Ohio 41 closed by train derailment reopens.
‘These commitments are the direct result of my conversations with Gov. DeWine and other leaders, all to better support our first responders and their communities.’ Alan H. Shaw Norfolk Southern president and CEO
The section of Ohio 41 impacted by the 28-car train derailment on Saturday partially reopened to traffic Wednesday even as Clark County officials face their next step: calculating cost recovery for the agencies and other organizations affected by the incident.
Also, after train derailments near Springfield and in East Palestine and a fatal collision in Cleveland, Norfolk Southern Corporation is also creating a first-responders training center in Ohio to help increase safety for crews responding to rail incidents.
Springfield’s derailment occurred at 4:57 p.m. Saturday on Ohio 41 near Gateway Boulevard, between Interstate 70 and Bird Road.
That portion of the roadway near the Clark County Fairgrounds in Springfield Twp. reopened to the public, with lane restrictions, on Wednesday afternoon.
“The two center lanes within the four-lane state route are now open at this time,” the Clark County commission said in a press release. “We ask all drivers to proceed slowly and with caution through the area as cleanup of the derailed cars will remain active over the next few weeks.”
The Clark County Emergency Management Agency is working on cost recovery for the agencies and organizations affected by the incident, according to the release.
Trains resumed operating on the tracks in the area of the derailment on Monday.
The investigation of the derailment continues. The Federal Rail Administration and the National Transportation and Safety Board will be issuing their own preliminary reports about the incident in the coming weeks, the agencies confirmed.
NTSB announced on Tuesday that it will conduct a special investigation of Norfolk Southern’s safety culture, and urged the rail company to take immediate action to review its safety practices.
The company announced the following day that it will create a safety center in Ohio.
The Ohio training center’s location will be decided in partnership with community leaders. Until a location has been determined, training will take place at Norfolk Southern’s Moorman Yard in Bellevue, in northern Ohio, starting March 22.
“The derailment in East Palestine made clear that ensuring first responders are prepared for disasters involving hazardous materials is vitally important to the safety of communities,” said Gov. Mike DeWine.
“Often, first responders are volunteers, and their need to have the most up-to-date training and equipment is essential.”
The training center will focus on offering free, additional training for first responders in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It will also increase coordination between first responders and railroads during emergencies.
“These commitments are the direct result of my conversations with Gov. DeWine and other leaders, all to better support our first responders and their communities,” said Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan H. Shaw.
“First responders are often immediately on the scene of a rail incident, and we want to ensure they have the knowledge and tools to work safely and effectively to protect the health and safety of their fellow citizens.”
The company is also expanding its Operation Awareness & Response program, which was created to connect first responders with information and training resources.
This year, the OAR program will make four stops in Ohio to offer hands-on training, which includes a train with specially equipped classroom boxcars and tank cars.