rail safety

One year after the train derailment in East Palestine, Congress still has not acted on legislation that would increase safety requirements for railways.

This year, Rail Safety Week is Sep. 18 to Sep. 24. The week is observed every year across the United States, Canada and Mexico to raise awareness about ways to stop track tragedies.

Three months aft the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, President and CEO Alan Shaw said the company isn't leaving the small town on the Pennsylvania border any time soon.

The Railway Safety Act, which proposes tighter safety regulations for freight rail companies, was passed by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

Cong. Emilia Strong Sykes' excursion on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is part of her larger effort to better understand rail safety and infrastructure after co-sponsoring the Reducing Accidents in Locomotives (RAIL) Act in March.

The City Club of Cleveland held a forum Wednesday to discuss the train derailment in East Palestine and how to prevent future environmental disasters.

The legislation comes more than a month after the train derailment in East Palestine. Similar legislation was introduced in the Senate earlier this month.

Senators still must vote on the transportation budget, which includes rail safety measures and a change to traffic camera programs along with increased speed limits and the elimination of the rural highway program.