Communities shouldn’t pay the price for a railroad merger: op-ed

The following is a guest opinion column published by 205focus.com.

If you ask anyone in Trussville about the reality of a blocked railroad crossing, the response has nothing to do with freight efficiency or national logistics. Instead, you hear stories of missed school pickups, stalled commutes, businesses losing customers, and the terrifying possibility that first responders might lose critical minutes reaching an emergency. These concerns extend far beyond one city, echoing across communities throughout Alabama.

Public Safety Above Corporate Efficiency

The proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern requires a deeper look than just corporate bottom lines. The Surface Transportation Board is tasked with evaluating if this deal serves the public interest—a mission that, for Alabama residents, must prioritize public safety above all else.

While Alabama’s economy relies on an extensive rail network to transport raw materials and agricultural goods, progress should not come at the expense of the neighbors who live along the tracks. A strong freight network is welcome, but it must be balanced with the well-being of the local communities that host these trains.

The Trussville Perspective

Trussville already bears the weight of heavy rail traffic due to its proximity to a major Norfolk Southern yard. Mayor Ben Short has emphasized that these are not merely transit inconveniences; they are genuine public safety hazards. Data from the Federal Railroad Administration support this; the Chalkville Road crossing, which sees over 13,000 vehicles daily, has logged more than 40 blocked-crossing reports since 2022. This totals roughly four hours of blockage time every month on a vital local corridor.

Federal regulators are now reviewing a merger that could further increase train traffic and freight tonnage. Even marginal increases in a congested corridor lead to unpredictable delays, placing undue pressure on commuters and emergency services alike.

Demanding Accountability

Mayor Short has proposed a clear, reasonable path forward: if the railroads seek a merger that increases local impacts, they must provide binding commitments for infrastructure investment. This includes immediate plans for grade separations, bridges, and sidings—not empty promises made years after the fact. Local communities should not be forced to subsidize the corporate decisions of major rail players.

This issue is not about hindering the rail industry, but about holding it accountable. Reliable infrastructure should benefit both commerce and the citizens living alongside it. The Surface Transportation Board must reject vague assurances in favor of enforceable, day-one commitments that protect the public. Once a merger is approved, the leverage needed to secure these vital upgrades often disappears.

The public interest is defined by more than just the speed of freight; it is defined by the parent picking up a child, the entrepreneur serving a customer, and the paramedic responding to a crisis. Those voices deserve to be heard. If Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern want the rewards of an expanded national system, they must accept their responsibilities to the communities that sustain it.

Rep. Danny Garrett represents Trussville in the Alabama Legislature and serves as chairman of the state House Ways & Means Education Committee.