The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) recently approved Quebec-based CN’s acquisition of Iowa Northern Railway Co. (IANR).
The decision means CN can combine its nearly 20,000-mile rail network with IANR’s 175 route miles as early as Feb. 13.
“We look forward to welcoming the team at Iowa Northern Railway into our CN family of railroaders, and we are carefully preparing for a successful integration,” Tracy Robinson, CN president and CEO, said. “We are excited to grow our network, offering customers, farmers and our supply chain partners with single-line access to new markets. This is an important step in our growth plan, reinforcing our commitment to providing customers with exceptional rail service and powering the economy.”
The combined CN-IANR will be able to better connect CN’s network to the grain, fertilizer, renewable fuels, and industrial markets. In addition, local businesses and customers along the IANR network will have an opportunity to grow in new markets and better respond to the needs of existing markets.
CN’s rail network and related transportation services connects Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. Midwest and the Gulf of Mexico.
The Iowa Northern Railway is a shortline railroad operating a transportation network in Iowa.