Rail

BNSF, CPKC, CSX file for trackage rights ahead of potential UP-NS merger decision

Three major Class I railroads filed applications Wednesday seeking broad trackage rights over a combined Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern network should federal regulators approve their merger. The proposed $85 billion deal would fundamentally reshape the industry. BNSF requested 824 miles of access across Norfolk Southern's Premier Corridor from Chicago to Eastern Pennsylvania, citing competitive concerns for intermodal service. CPKC and CSX both targeted Kansas City-St. Louis routing, arguing that existing Canadian National trackage rights fail to preserve meaningful competition. The railroads unanimously opposed the merger on public interest grounds but signaled conditional acceptance if the Surface Transportation Board approves the deal. BNSF told regulators that while conditions could mitigate some competitive harm, they cannot fully offset the merger's negative effects on shippers and the American economy. Short line railroads separately filed similar trackage rights requests.