The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) has accepted the revised merger application from Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. This action moves the federal review into the merits phase and establishes a formal procedural schedule.
The STB expects to issue a final decision in the second half of 2027. Regulators lifted a previous hold on the proceedings after the railroads provided supplemental information in July 2026.
Final briefs for the case are due by May 28, 2027. The proposed combination currently faces opposition from state attorneys general and various shipper associations.