The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) said on Tuesday it has resumed consideration of Union Pacific’s proposed $85 billion merger with Norfolk Southern, removing the proceeding from abeyance after determining that supplemental information submitted by the railroads was sufficient.
The move does not constitute approval of the transaction, the board emphasized. The STB outlined a structured timeline for public comments, allowing stakeholders and regulators to assess the potential impact of the deal, which would combine two of the largest freight railroads in the U.S. into a single coast-to-coast network.
The board also denied the companies’ request for an expedited proceeding related to their proposed divestiture of control of the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis. Instead, the STB directed Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern to refile any filtered or screened workpapers within 10 days and to submit unfiltered workpapers by August 28, ensuring full transparency in the review process.
The merger, announced in July of the prior year, remains subject to rigorous regulatory oversight as the STB evaluates its competitive and operational implications. The timeline for public input and document submission reflects the board’s commitment to a thorough examination before any further action is taken.
