South Carolina Governor Endorses Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Rail Merger
Governor Henry McMaster wrote to the Surface Transportation Board supporting the Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger, citing benefits for South Carolina’s economy and infrastructure.
South Carolina’s Republican governor, Henry McMaster, sent a letter to Surface Transportation Board Chairman Patrick Fuchs on September 9 to voice his support for the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. He emphasized that a more integrated rail network would bolster the state’s ability to attract new businesses by ensuring reliable movement of raw materials and finished goods, reducing traffic bottlenecks, and promoting safety and environmental goals.
McMaster praised Norfolk Southern’s 14,000-acre Brosnan Forest in South Carolina as an exemplary conservation effort. The deal, first announced in July 2025, places a valuation of $85 billion on Norfolk Southern and would combine two largely non-overlapping rail systems into a network covering more than 50,000 miles in 43 states and linking roughly 100 ports. Supporters, including several freight-dependent companies, argue the merger would cut handoffs, shorten shipping times, and improve service reliability. The Surface Transportation Board is still reviewing the application, with a final decision pending and the merger targeted for mid-2027.
