UP-Norfolk Southern Merger Goes to STB

The proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern rail merger has been officially filed with the Surface Transportation Board. The $85 billion deal is considered the largest railroad merger in history. The Rail Customer Coalition immediately responded, warning it would dramatically impact competition. Agricultural Retailer Association President and CEO Daren Coppock said farmers and ag retailers operate on razor-thin margins and this deal will drive up costs and threaten the reliability of the entire supply chain.