Railroads are the heart of America’s economic engine. From the days when steel tracks first connected our cities to today’s modern supply chains, rail remains the most efficient way to move goods across our nation.
Here in Texas, where commerce, energy, tech, and agriculture converge, the future of rail matters to every family, every business, and every community. But for freight rail to keep pace with modern demands, it must be stronger, more reliable, and better connected than ever. That is exactly what the proposed merger between Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway offers, and it’s why I strongly support it.
This merger will create the nation’s first unified transcontinental railroad, passing right through North Texas. It will strengthen the nation’s transportation backbone, drive economic growth, and ensure Texas remains a leader in logistics and commerce. By uniting two complementary networks, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern can expand capacity, reduce costs, and deliver more reliable service.
Nowhere will the benefits be felt more strongly than in Texas, especially Dallas–Fort Worth. Our region is the fourth-largest metro area in the country, a logistics powerhouse with direct access to highways, air freight, and intermodal rail. The merger will unlock efficiencies for shippers, reduce costs for local businesses, and attract investment in warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities.
DFW’s position as the commercial crossroads of the nation will be enhanced by a unified rail system. When freight moves faster and more reliably, the ripple effects are immense: more companies expanding in North Texas, more high-paying jobs, and more tax revenue for schools and infrastructure. Simply put, this merger aligns perfectly with Texas’s pro-business, conservative approach to economic development.
Every Texan knows the cost of supply chain delays. From groceries to manufactured goods, inefficiencies ripple through our economy. Trucks sit in traffic, ports face bottlenecks, and businesses struggle with shipping uncertainty. Rail is the answer.
A combined Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern network will connect the country with seamless service, reducing costly interchanges and delays. That means faster delivery, more predictable schedules, and lower shipping costs for Texas businesses. For a state with booming industries like energy, technology, and manufacturing, these improvements translate into stronger growth and competitiveness.
Railroads are more than tracks and trains. They are employers, investors, and community partners. Texas already benefits from Union Pacific’s deep roots, and a merger with Norfolk-Southern will expand investment in rail yards, intermodal hubs, and infrastructure here. That means more good-paying jobs and stronger local economies.
Moreover, as companies seek reliable, cost-effective shipping, Texas becomes an even more attractive place to build, invest, and grow. A stronger rail network doesn’t just move goods. It moves opportunity, and DFW will be at the center of that momentum.
Endless truck traffic on our highways causes shipping delays, more emissions, and infrastructure wear. Rail is already the most fuel-efficient way to move freight, producing up to 75% fewer emissions than trucks. By creating a larger, more efficient system, this merger will shift the more cargo from highways to rail, delivering cleaner air, safer roads for Texans, and a more efficient logistical operation.
In today’s economy, we compete not just with neighboring states but with nations worldwide. China and Europe are investing heavily in their rail systems, recognizing that efficient transportation is key to economic power. America cannot fall behind. A combined Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will create a rail system with the scale, resources, and resilience to compete globally.
From the ports of Los Angeles to the manufacturing centers of the Midwest to the trade hubs of Texas, this merger will help ensure that American goods move swiftly and competitively.
For DFW and Texas, it means new jobs, new investments, and cleaner air. For our nation, it means a smarter, faster supply chain that strengthens our position in the world economy.
As a Mayor in DFW whose community depends on how these goods are delivered, I believe it is critical we seize opportunities that grow our economy, improve quality of life, and secure Texas’s future for decades to come. The Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger is one of those opportunities.
Let’s keep Texas—and America—on the right track.
Mayor Armin Mizani — “Husband, dad, attorney, and Mayor of Keller. American by the Grace of God, Texan by choice. Candidate for Texas House District 98.”