The merger would create the United States’ first coast-to-coast rail network, spanning 50,000 miles and 43 states.

Norfolk Southern has significant infrastructure and history ties to Petersburg. Will its merger with Union Pacific untie those ties in any way?

Union Pacific said on Tuesday it would buy smaller rival Norfolk Southern in an $85 billion deal to create the first U.S. coast-to-coast freight rail operator and reshape the movement of goods from grains to autos across the country.