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markets for Georgia-based customers and streamlining
freight movement from coast to coast. These investments reflect the company’s mission to grow with
its customers, support economic development and
strengthen its role as a critical component of the global supply chain.
More Than Just Driving Trains
CONDUCTOR THROWING A SWITCH
transcontinental railroad, and to igniting rail’s ability
to deliver for the whole American economy today and
into the future,” said CEO Mark George. “Union Pacific
is a true partner that shares our belief in rail’s ability to
deliver for all stakeholders simultaneously, and we are
excited for our future together.”
A Vital Connection
Savannah is a vital gateway for global commerce
and a strategic growth corridor for Norfolk Southern.
To support its port expansion, the company has invested in increased intermodal capacity and faster inland
connections. And transformative infrastructure such
as the Blue Ridge Connector— a new inland terminal in
Gainesville, is scheduled to open in 2026.
This new terminal will connect Northeast Georgia
shippers to 35 global container services via Savannah
and serve key industries including consumer goods,
food, forest products and heavy equipment. This service
will eliminate what could be a 600-mile truck round trip
for each container— for thousands of containers.
This long-term investment— driven by public and
private collaboration— demonstrates Norfolk Southern’s commitment to sustainable logistics. With the
proposed merger, the company would connect approximately 100 ports nationwide, unlocking new U.S.
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Norfolk Southern is navigating a complex macro
environment shaped by shifting market dynamics,
evolving customer expectations, technological advances and the ongoing need to attract and retain top talent. These challenges also present opportunities— to
innovate, lead with purpose and elevate performance.
The company has responded with a comprehensive
transformation. Norfolk Southern has strengthened its
safety culture through regular Safety Summits, Camps,
and Walkabouts— initiatives designed to foster a Speak
Up culture between leadership and frontline employees.
Operationally, the company has shifted from a utility
mindset to a quality mindset, prioritizing consistency,
customer experience and continuous improvement. Rising customer satisfaction scores reflect stronger service
and growing trust.
“Norfolk Southern, like Union Pacific, is a railroad integral to the U.S. economy, with a storied 200-year legacy
of serving customers across 22 states in the eastern half
of the nation,” emphasizes its CEO. “Our safety, network
and financial performance is among the best we’ve had
as a company, as is our customer satisfaction. And it is
from this position of strength that we embark on this
transformational combination.”
Leadership restructuring and frontline engagement
have also played a key role. War Rooms for root cause
analysis enable rapid resolution of network issues with
speed and urgency. These changes are driving measurable results— including safer operations and more
reliable service.
The proposed merger with Union Pacific builds
on this foundation. It is a strategic response to industry-wide challenges— eliminating freight handoffs,
reducing gateway delays and making rail more competitive with trucking by offering one-to-two day faster
cross-country solutions.
What Lies Ahead
Rail is a uniquely complex and impactful industry.
While it shares logistics fundamentals with other sectors— such as customer service, operational efficiency
and supply chain integration— it stands apart in scale,
physical footprint and long-term economic influence.
