Union Pacific’s Commitment to Fifth Ward: Transparency, Testing, and a Safer Tomorrow

Union Pacific’s Commitment to Fifth Ward: Transparency, Testing, and a Safer Tomorrow

By Francis Page, Jr. Click here for updates on this story     May 6, 2025 (Houston Style Magazine) — In a significant development for Houston’s historic Fifth Ward, Union Pacific has completed the final round of its extensive soil testing initiative surrounding the former Houston Wood Preserving Works (HWPW) site—and the results offer reassurance and renewed clarity for local families. This milestone, supervised by the U.S. Environmental Protect…

Union Pacific, EPA to assess long-term health threats after completing soil testing in Houston’s Fifth Ward

A total of 176 properties near a contaminated rail yard site were tested for toxic chemicals. Forty-one locations were found to contain contamination levels above the EPA's screening levels, “but below the thresholds that pose an immediate health risk,” according to Union Pacific.