EAST PALESTINE — Gov. Mike DeWine Friday signed House Bill 23, which includes new measures to target increased safety and transparency of Ohio’s freight and hazardous materials shipping by rail.

Provisions in the bill require two-person crews on trains and strengthen requirements for wayside detectors, which are rail devices that can detect problems in passing trains. These changes in state law will ensure that railroads operating in Ohio are following the best practices in monitoring railroad equipment and will assist the state with holding railroads responsible for their actions.

The bill, which takes effect July 1, directs how the state will spend approximately $13.5 billion in state and federal revenue over the next two years. House Bill 23 also implements a series of changes aimed at improving public safety and making Ohio a great place to do business.

“Safety remains the priority in everything we do,” said Governor DeWine. “I’m thankful for the partnership of the Ohio General Assembly in strengthening safety requirements for railroads, supporting the historic Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project, and investing in transportation projects that make our state safer and a better place to do business.”

The new budget also includes $360 million over two years in dedicated highway safety funding that will be used to address dangerous intersections, make travel safer for bicyclists and pedestrians, and help local governments fund critical projects.

“I applaud the Governor and the Ohio General Assembly for continuing to prioritize safety in this transportation budget,” said ODOT Director Dr. Jack Marchbanks. “Our mission is to provide for the safe and easy movement of people and goods from place to place and this budget gives us the funding we need to do that.”

House Bill 23 also provides nearly $7.5 billion for ODOT to use for state highway improvements. This includes more than $2.2 billion for pavement upgrades, $700 million for bridge improvements, $964 million for local government programs and projects, $200 million for transit, and $579 million for major projects funded by the Transportation Review Advisory Council.

House Bill 23 includes several measures aimed at preparing Ohio for future investment and growth. This includes $30 million in Roadwork Development Grants through the Ohio Department of Development and $10 million for a transformative statewide transportation study.

The Roadwork Development (629) Grant program provides funds for public roadway improvements, including engineering and design costs. Funds are available for projects primarily involving manufacturing, research and development, high technology, corporate headquarters, and distribution activity. Projects must typically create or retain jobs. Examples of recent projects include supporting growth at Amazon Data Services, Sherwin-Williams, Macy’s, and Advanced Drainage Systems.

ODOT will also work in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Development and the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation to complete a $10 million transportation study. This study will look at where Ohio’s population is projected to grow, where Ohio’s workforce is expanding, and what Ohio’s projected transportation system needs will be over the next 10, 20, and 30 years.

This study will help the state identify gaps, prioritize needs, and make actionable recommendations for the future of Ohio’s transportation network. The study will identify needs all over the state, including between Toledo and Columbus.

DeWine did not veto any provisions in House Bill 23.

Hazardous Waste Removal

According to the Ohio EPA, approximately 9.7 million gallons of liquid wastewater have been hauled out of East Palestine in total. There is currently a pile of approximately 22,300 tons of excavated soil waiting for removal from East Palestine, versus 13,200 tons that have been removed.

Municipal Water Testing

Ohio EPA has published the latest data tables that summarize chemical detections in the weekly sampling of raw well water and treated drinking water from East Palestine’s municipal drinking water system. At this time, no chemicals associated with the derailment have been detected in either the raw or treated water. Only water that has been treated is distributed to customers.

Private Well Testing

Water sample results from private water systems of East Palestine area homes continue to show no harmful levels of contaminants.

The Ohio Department of Health and the Columbiana County Health District received verified laboratory results from 19 additional samples from private water systems as of noon Friday. None of the wells showed detectable contaminants.

In total, test results from 207 samples have been verified, and none have shown any harmful contaminant levels associated with the derailment.

The results can be found on the Columbiana County Health Department site at https://www.columbiana-health.org/resources/.

Residents near East Palestine who would like their private water system sampled should call 330-849-3919.

Health Assessment Clinic Current Hours

The Ohio Department of Health’s Health Assessment Clinic in East Palestine, operating in partnership with the Columbiana County Health District, is currently operating on a walk-in basis. Residents should arrive at least an hour before closing to ensure there is enough time to be served.

The clinic will be open Monday and Tuesday next week from noon to 6 p.m.

The clinic is located at the First Church of Christ, 20 W. Martin St. For information, call the Columbiana County Health District at 330-424-0272.