EAST PALESTINE — Norfolk Southern Corp. said it continues to expands its recovery, goodwill and communication efforts following its fiery Feb. 3 train derailment here.

The railway on its website has launched NSMakingitRight.com as a resource for members of the East Palestine community and public at-large. This includes regular updates on environmental cleanup progress, services available at the Family Assistance Center, and answers to common questions and concerns.

Some 50 cars derailed and the National Transportation Safety Board has said it appears to have been caused by a mechanical problem on one car, a wheel bearing that looks to have overheated. Authorities ordered evacuation of about 1,500 residents and initiated a controlled release of chemicals from five train cars to avert an explosion, resulting in a huge smoke plume.

The company said 15,000 pounds of contaminated soil and 1.1 million gallons of contaminated water already have been excavated from the derailment site. The material will be transported to landfills and disposal facilities that are designed to accept it safely in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Additionally, a series of pumps have been placed upstream to reroute Sulphur Run around the derailment site, the railway said. The affected portion of Sulphur Run has been dammed to protect water downstream. Environmental teams are treating the impacted portions of Sulphur Run with booms, aeration and carbon filtration units. Those teams also are working with stream experts to collect soil and groundwater samples to develop a comprehensive plan to address any contamination that remains in the stream banks and sediment.

“The majority of the hazardous rail cars have been decontaminated and are being held on-site to allow the National Transportation Safety Board to continue its investigation. Once that is completed, the cars will be scrapped and moved off-site for disposal,” it said.

Norfolk Southern said the company’s financial commitment to East Palestine is more than $5.6 million to date, with more to come. This includes:

• $3.4 million in direct financial assistance to families;

• $1 million community assistance fund;

• $1 million budget for the new community liaison;

• $220,000 reimbursement to fund new equipment for first responders.

FINANCIAL HELP

The company’s Family Assistance Center at Abundant Life Church, 46469 state Route 46, New Waterford, surpassed serving more than 2,200 families over the weekend. Since establishing it on Feb. 4, the company has made more than $3.4 million in direct payments to citizens impacted by the incident, it said.

Last week, the company announced that it has expanded eligibility to all East Palestine residents in the 44413 ZIP code at the request of Mayor Trent Conaway. The assistance center also will review individual requests for those outside the 44413 ZIP code. For example, inconvenience payments have been made to Beaver County, Pa., residents who were evacuated.

Norfolk Southern said it is not requiring any releases in exchange for payments, and acceptance of reimbursements and / or inconvenience compensation is not a settlement of any future claim.

Those in need of assistance should visit the Norfolk Southern FAC or call 1-800-230-7049. For more information on the FAC and documents needed for reimbursements, visit NSMakingitRight.com.

On Tuesday, the company announced that a Norfolk Southern railroader who lives in East Palestine has accepted a one-year assignment as a dedicated community liaison. The position will report to CEO Alan Shaw’s chief of staff and will work directly with Shaw to ensure the community’s concerns are heard. The position will oversee a budget of $1 million for community needs and improvements.