Union Pacific, the largest U.S. railroad operator, could reach an agreement to acquire rival Norfolk Southern as soon as early next week, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern could announce a merger as early as next week, according to a published report. The post Report: Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern could reach merger deal by next week appeared first on FreightWaves.

The combination of two large rail companies would create the first coast-to-coast network, but the deal could reduce competition.