CLEVELAND — Since last month’s train derailment in East Palestine, cities and towns across Ohio, including Cleveland, have been advocating for safer rail travel.
Monday night, Cleveland City Council passed a resolution urging Congress and the Ohio General Assembly to enact legislation to “further protect the citizens of the City of Cleveland from the inherent dangers of a train derailment on the tracks” located in Cleveland.
The resolution also urges Congress to pass Senate Bill 576, also known as The Railway Safety Act of 2023, which is is aimed at increasing rail safety while holding railway companies accountable.
Cleveland City Councilwoman Jenny Spencer is among those leading the push to pass this legislation.
The section of the city she represents, Ward 15, has one of the highest concentrations of railway traffic in Cleveland.
“It’s certainly not lost on anyone that Cleveland is a legacy city and that significant rail infrastructure passes through our wards,” said Councilwoman Spencer.
Meanwhile, Cleveland City Council also held an informational hearing on rail safety Tuesday.
Representatives for both Sen. Sherrod Brown and Rep. Shontel Brown were in attendance.
“Take a moment to imagine what an evaluation scenario might look like in Cleveland,” said Spencer at Tuesday’s meeting.
At the meeting, council members reviewed the city’s current emergency protocol.
