Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg arrives in East Palestine, Ohio

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (WKBN) – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg will travel to eastern Palestine on Thursday, a day after former President Donald Trump’s visit to the region.

Buttigieg plans to meet with community members affected by the Norfolk Southern train derailment, get an update on the ongoing investigation from the National Transportation Safety Board, which is expected to release its initial findings Thursday, and hear from USDOT investigators .

He will be joined by Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Amit Bose and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown.

On Tuesday, Secretary Buttigieg released a series of actions that USDOT, the railroad industry and Congress could take immediately — without waiting for the NTSB’s report on East Palestine — to increase railroad safety on the tracks that run through communities across the country. These include allowing USDOT to impose tougher penalties for violating railroad safety regulations and reversing a delay in the railroad industry’s deadline for using more robust cars carrying hazardous materials.

Buttigieg has also directed FRA staff to expedite work on his final rule mandating at least two crew members on trains.

WKBN spoke to Buttigieg on Tuesday about his actions. You can see the full interview here.

Friday, Environmental Activities Erin Brockovich will come to East Palestine for an event at City Hall.