CSX
CSX announced via X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn that the Class I railroad on Oct. 17 held its inaugural TechExpo, providing technology employees the chance to “explore, embrace and get excited about the opportunities for innovative technology to advance the railroad, as well as the larger freight rail industry.”
According to CSX, nearly 1,000 members came together at first-ever TechExpo, which included the participation of technology partners and vendors, including Blue Diamond Sponsors Fortinet, Microsoft, Siemens, Tata Consultancy Services and Verizon.
“Together, with our CSX technology partners, the #ONECSX team is on track to use pioneering advances in tech to help CSX achieve our goals for safety, service and efficiency,” the Class I railroad wrote in its social media posts.
NS
NS announced Oct. 26 that soil excavation is set to be completed in East Palestine, Ohio, “marking a significant environmental remediation milestone.”
According to NS, this weekend, the final truckload of impacted soil will be removed from the derailment zone and transported offsite, which will substantially reduce heavy truck traffic on East Taggart Street and throughout the village. The next phase of site remediation will include backfilling excavated areas and continued assessment of soil and creek sheens and sediments. All site work has been, and will continue to be, supervised and approved by the U.S. and Ohio Environmental Protection Agencies and Unified Command.
“This milestone is a major step forward in making things right for East Palestine and its residents,” said NS President and CEO Alan Shaw. “From day one, we committed to thoroughly remediating the site, and our plans included listening and responding to the concerns of the community. Norfolk Southern is committed to remaining in East Palestine for the long haul.”
Since the Feb. 3 derailment, NS has worked alongside state, local, and federal authorities to work toward full environmental recovery of the derailment zone and the surrounding area. Key accomplishments include:
- The excavation of impacted soil beneath and between the north and south tracks in the derailment zone.
- 35,000,000+ gallons of water recovered and transported offsite.
- 167,000+ tons of impacted soil removed and transported offsite.
- 5,200 feet of impacted waterways flushed.
- 1,000+ drinking water wells sampled.
- Assessing and washing of Sulphur and Leslie Runs.
- Reopening East Taggart Street to full two-way traffic.
In addition to the next phase of the environmental remediation, NS says it “remains focused on community assistance initiatives.” To date, NS has committed and invested more than $96.5 million to East Palestine and the surrounding areas. More information is available here.
Separately, NS recently announced the hiring of two minority-owned contractors, one of which is also woman-owned, for work south of Garfield Boulevard at its 47th Street Intermodal Facility.
The contractors, SYTE Corporation and Twenty Eleven Construction have begun work with NS to enhance the components of the project, such as stockpile management, landscaping, and sidewalk improvements in the surrounding area. NS has allocated $4 million to these two contractors, part of a total $10 million allocated to minority-owned and women-owned contractors across Chicago.
“Norfolk Southern made a commitment to the community to expand on opportunities for minority- and women-owned firms,” said NS Assistant Vice President of Sourcing Jackie Corletto. “These contractors join other minority-owned contractors and sub-contractors currently working with our team on projects across the Chicago region and furthers Norfolk Southern’s dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion across our operations.”
“After 30 years of being in business, I can tell you that no one succeeds alone,” said SYTE Corporation CEO Mario L. Short. “Working with Norfolk Southern has allowed us to further our mission to build a healthy and robust ecosystem of effective M/WBE firms that will hire and train individuals from the surrounding Chicagoland communities.”
“Twenty Eleven Construction enthusiastically partnered with STYE Construction, which led forth exciting opportunities for growth, skills development, and a positive community impact,” said Twenty Eleven Construction President Vanessa Rhodes. “The community impact of this partnership is substantial. It contributed to economic empowerment by generating jobs and income, fostering skill development, and nurturing a sense of community ownership among residents. Our team was proud to say they worked on a project right in their very own community.”
NS says it has also committed to additional recruiting opportunities for the community, and will participate in a hiring event at Kennedy-King College on Saturday, Oct. 28 hosted by the City Colleges of Chicago from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. CT.
Additionally, on Nov. 1, representatives from NS will attend the “CREATE Get on Board” networking event at Kennedy-King College to “encourage additional business-to-business engagement opportunities in 2024 and beyond.”
According to NS, the Class I railroad has hired 70 employees in 2023 to perform work at all its Chicago-based facilities, to date. Additionally, NS announced several local investments and developments including:
- $2.75 million in cumulative contributions from Norfolk Southern toward the Neighborhood Investment Fund that will be used for community beautification and investment, including in Englewood.
- New landscaping and sidewalks along Garfield Blvd. and 59th street began October 19th, performed by Twenty Eleven Construction.
- Fencing of the perimeter of the expansion footprint occurred in early July 2023.
- Thus far in 2023, Norfolk Southern has contributed $383,000 to the Chicago nonprofit community in the form of grants, sponsorships, and memberships.
In the year ahead, NS says it will “further engage the community on economic, social and beautification projects.” The expanded 47th Street will contract an estimated $85 million in biddable work over the next decade and ultimately employ several dozen people, according to NS.
