Hate the freight train wait? Experts warn railway merger could make it worse at 50 local crossings

The proposed merger of two railroad titans will not only put more freight trains in the suburbs and Chicago, it could spike delays at more than 50 crossings, hamper Metra service and impact air quality, the region’s top planners caution.

A recent Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning memo points out challenges caused by a Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern union as well as solutions.

The merger would create the first transcontinental railroad, and “northeastern Illinois should be positioned to benefit from that growth, not be expected to carry its costs without clear returns,” CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman said.

The agency’s report comes with two months left to submit comments on the railroads’ proposal before a Nov. 18 deadline. An environmental impact study is ongoing and the U.S. Surface Transportation Board is expected to hold a public hearing in spring 2027, with a decision to follow at a later date.

UP and Norfolk Southern argue that if the board doesn’t approve the plan, “it hurts America.”

“The facts show this merger will create a stronger, more efficient single-line rail network that improves service for farmers and American industry, strengthens competition and moves more freight off the highway and onto rail,” UP Chief Executive Officer Jim Vena said in a statement.

Here’s what CMAP found.

• Railroad estimates indicate the number of trains would increase by 6% to 7% (or 5.3 a day) on UP tracks between Geneva and Northlake, and by 13.6 trains daily from Northlake to Chicago’s West Side, or 20%.

They trains also would be longer, which raises the odds of delays and collisions, the agency said.

CMAP flagged six busy crossings that are frequently blocked by freights including two in Chicago, two in Maywood, one in downtown Winfield and another at Washington Street in Geneva.

To mitigate risks, CMAP is recommending the railroads help fund grade separations at key locations.

UP spokesperson Robynn Tysver explained, “one of the benefits of the merger is removing more than 2 million truckloads off congested roads, easing traffic congestion in cities like Chicago and surrounding suburbs, while saving more than 1,700 lives from highway-related injuries and fatalities from large-truck incidents each year.”

• Extra trains will mean more pollutants being released by diesel locomotives, CMAP said. They recommend requiring UP to acquire zero-emission locomotives, reduce engine idling and establish an air quality monitoring program.

The railroads contend that trains produce up to 75% less carbon emissions than trucks.

• CMAP also noted added trains could slow Metra service on the UP Northwest, Heritage Corridor and SouthWest Service lines as well as Amtrak routes operating out of Chicago. The agency asked the STB to obtain more data from the railroads about the impact on Chicago area passenger rail.

“A merger that improves freight efficiency but weakens passenger rail reliability would not be a win for our region,” Aleman said.

Tysver said the railroad has and will continue to contribute to regional projects reducing train congestion, such as adding a third track to Metra’s UP West Line, which was completed in 2025.

Meanwhile, U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin raised concerns about the merger in a recent letter to the STB, saying it could slash railway jobs and kneecap competition.

“Combining UP and NS would create a single railroad handling nearly half of the nation’s rail freight. This significantly increases the likelihood of higher transportation rates and reduces service alternatives for farmers and businesses,” the senators wrote.

UP’s Vena has countered, “this merger is about building a more efficient, unified American network, not limiting customer choice.”

His rivals disagree. On Friday, the STB denied a motion to throw out the merger request, filed by BNSF and CSX railroads along with shipping associations, which claim the two companies had failed to establish their case.

“We will continue to stress to the STB that a healthy freight rail network depends on competition and customer choice,” an American Chemistry Council spokesperson said.

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mpyke@dailyherald.com