A Norfolk Southern train moves cargo from the S.C. State Ports Authority’s inland port in Greer. (Photo courtesy of Norfolk Southern)
If America is a breathing vessel, railroads are surely the veins.
For over a century, rail has acted as the delivery system for our country’s economy, transforming industries, unlocking new markets, and benefiting folks at every step of the supply chain.
It’s cost-efficient, built for long distances at large volume, and safe.
Generations before us have witnessed this themselves as Spartanburg’s rail infrastructure grew rapidly in the late 19th century.
With rail, our region’s peach and textile industries thrived. Thousands of high-paying jobs were created both in and around railroads, making Spartanburg a pivotal rail connector and giving it the moniker “Hub City.”
As highways began to dominate both passenger and freight transportation, rail saw a decline at the end of the 20th century.
But the industry is resurging. Developments like the inland port at Greer – which recently expanded to meet higher freight demand — have strengthened our region’s position as a logistics hub linking Port Charleston to the rest of the country.
These advances are key reasons South Carolina now moves tens of millions of tons in endpoint rail freight every year.
This year has the potential to bring even more transformational change.
Two major rail operators — Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific — are seeking approval for an end-to-end merger that would give America its first transcontinental line without creating redundancies.
The combination would grow domestic manufacturing by limiting costly line-transfer delays and increasing quality control on long-range freight.
It also stands to ease the burden on worn-out state roads by increasing the amount of freight viable by rail, a benefit all South Carolinians will feel in their wallets and in the time they don’t spend stuck in traffic.
The operational advantages provided by this merger are significant, and fully aligned with the transportation priorities I championed as a councilman for Spartanburg County and continue to support as a member of this community.
Should the proposed Norfolk Southern–Union Pacific merger move forward, the decision will rest not with the companies themselves, but with federal regulators.
Any end-to-end rail merger of this scale must be reviewed by the Surface Transportation Board, an independent, bipartisan agency in Washington, D.C., tasked by Congress with evaluating major rail transactions.
The board is responsible for determining whether a merger serves the public interest — examining impacts on competition, service, safety, infrastructure, and the broader economy through a review process that includes public input and economic analysis.
The merger would strengthen manufacturing by opening new markets for both inputs and finished products.
Companies relying on chemical compounds like ethylene— used to make petrochemicals and other finished plastics — such as BMW’s Spartanburg plant and Michelin’s Upstate facilities, would gain improved access to Union Pacific’s network in the Gulf Coast, where states hold a structural advantage.
Other essential manufacturing materials, like soda ash (a key ingredient used in glass production and other products), could become more affordable as the new line improves access to high-production states like Wyoming.
Manufacturing accounts for 14% of statewide employment and generates tens of billions in output, making its continued growth vital to South Carolina’s economy.
Industrial chemicals imported to our state leave as finished products, often categorized as miscellaneous mixed shipments.
These are already two of the highest volume products transported by rail in and out of our state — and the top rail-freight commodities by value.
The merger would expand our state’s access to these valuable materials and gives our manufacturers greater ability to deliver high-value finished products by rail to any part of the country.
As coal demand declines and coal-fired plants close nationwide, the industries that depend on freight rail — and stand to benefit from this merger — will only become more important.
Beyond the private sector, our public roads and bridges would gain longevity and safety.
We’re all familiar with the poor condition of our roadways.
The more we rely on trucking, the faster our infrastructure deteriorates; because of their weight, heavy trucks cause the majority of structural damage and are involved in a disproportionate share of fatal accidents.
In 2022 alone, it would have taken 3.3 million trucks to move the freight in South Carolina handled by rail.
This isn’t to say trucking isn’t essential to our economy — it is — but as this merger makes rail a stronger competitor, we stand to gain longer-lasting roads, less congestion, cleaner air, and real savings for taxpayers.
At the end of the day, this merger doesn’t raise taxes, divert public funds, or burden local budgets.
It equips South Carolina with better tools: stronger freight capacity, safer and more durable roads, and a manufacturing sector with room to expand.
That’s why I support it.
The merger helps our people, our economy, and our infrastructure — without costing taxpayers a dime.
That’s the kind of progress we should get behind.
