Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern say customer support builds for proposed merger

Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern say customer support is building for their proposed merger.

• Union Pacific is pursuing a merger with Norfolk Southern to create a single, coast-to-coast freight rail network in the U.S.
• The combined railroad targets about $3.5 billion of annual savings, with management indicating savings would likely be passed to consumers.
• The deal also projects shifting about 2,100,000 truckloads a year from highways to rail.
• More than 500 customers have backed the tie-up, citing simpler end-to-end service, fewer interchanges, improved reliability, broader market access.
• Closing is expected in the third or fourth quarter of 2027, subject to review and approval.