Bringing Together Two Railroads to Power
America's Economy
American businesses depend on efficient supply chains, but today’s mid-continent handoff between eastern and western railroads adds time, cost and uncertainty. The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has accepted Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern’s application to create America’s first transcontinental railroad with seamless single-line service. The result: faster, safer and more cost-effective freight service.
Latest News & Perspectives
See the latest official news, updates and perspectives on The Great Connection and the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern combination.
More Routes. More Access. More Competition.
The Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger will be an end-to-end combination with virtually no route overlap. Because of their distinct geographic service areas, the two railroads do not compete today — and regional competition would be preserved.
The vision for the combined company is all about growth through new routes and better service for customers. By linking Union Pacific’s expansive Western network with Norfolk Southern’s unmatched access to Eastern population and manufacturing hubs, freight can bypass congested interchanges and move along the most direct, efficient paths. Seamless coast-to-coast service will raise performance standards across the industry, spur innovation and create new shipping options — putting downward pressure on costs for businesses nationwide.
Analysis by independent economists found the combination pro-competitive. It is expected to expand access, improve service and create downward pricing pressure for shippers.
Unifying the U.S.
The combined network will span 50,000 route miles across 43 states, connecting more than 100 ports and 10 international gateways to markets in Canada and Mexico. Six connection points will link the two complementary systems with minimal overlap — creating a transcontinental route that bridges the East-West divide and allows freight to bypass congested interchanges for the fastest, most direct path available.
For the first time, American businesses will gain a single rail partner for coast-to-coast shipments — with the reach and flexibility to compete for global freight through U.S. ports and infrastructure, rather than ceding that volume to Canadian rail corridors.
Hear about our tomorrow
The Impact
The Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern combination will deliver measurable benefits across the supply chain, the workforce, the environment and the national economy —as outlined in the STB application and supported by independent economic analysis.
Reduced supply chain costs
Faster, more efficient service
Union jobs protected. Growth creates more.
Reduced highway congestion and emissions
By the Numbers
88,000
New county-to-county lanes created — more options, not fewer
10,000
Existing interline lanes converted to single-line service
2.1M
Truckloads shifted from road to rail annually
1,200
Net new union jobs expected by Year 3
$5.6B
Combined annual infrastructure reinvestment
2,000+
Letters of support — largest in STB history
$3.5B
Annual savings for shippers moving from road to rail. Lower shipping costs support affordability for all Americans.