Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council votes to support Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger despite local concerns
Summary
Council adopted a resolution supporting the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger after receiving a request from Union Pacific; some council members raised safety and switching concerns near downtown but the support resolution passed by voice vote.
The Columbus City Council voted Oct. 6 to support the proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern after a member moved and seconded a resolution at the request of Union Pacific.
Mayor Boeckley said the city is on an original Union Pacific mainline and had received support letters from state senators advocating support; a company representative named David Black was mentioned as having sent a letter. Several council members voiced concerns about switching operations and the impact on downtown safety, saying a recent incident involved an engine stopping mere feet from an intersection while people crossed with crossing arms down. One council member stated, "They don't care," reflecting frustration with railroad responsiveness. Despite those objections, the motion to support the merger passed by voice vote.
Council also noted that support letters were being collected to present to a regulatory review board and that the resolution is intended to be part of that broader review package.
The council’s support is a local expression and does not substitute for state or federal regulatory review required for any merger approval.
