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

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

Union Pacific announced an $85 billion bid to acquire Norfolk Southern, according to AP. The deal would create the first U.S. transcontinental railroad, linking 50,000 miles of track across 43 states,