STB sets procedural schedule for consideration of UP-NS merger

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) yesterday adopted a procedural schedule for the consideration of the revised merger application filed by Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway.

When the board accepted the railroad's revised application for consideration on May 28, it also placed the proceeding in abeyance and directed UP-NS to submit supplemental information by July 27. In yesterday's decision, the board determined the record of information is now sufficient to resume the procedural schedule, STB officials said in a press release.

The decision establishes a procedural schedule for public comment on the merits of the proposed merger. The schedule is designed to provide stakeholders and the board with adequate time to consider the impacts of the proposed merger, they added. The full schedule is included as an appendix to the decision, which can be read here.

Any parties that wish to review copies of filings submitted in the proceeding must file a notice of intent to participate by Sept. 4. Comments on the revised application, including protests, requests for conditions and any other evidence or argument in opposition, are due Nov. 18. Responses to comments are due Feb. 16, 2027. The STB will also hold public hearings, with dates to be set in a future decision.

In addition to setting the schedule, yesterday's decision also directed UP-NS to refile by Aug. 28 any workpapers to which screening or filtering criteria were applied so that the board can review the full datasets. The STB denied UP-NS' request for an expedited proceeding regarding their proposals to divest control of the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis.