In Upstate South Carolina, you don’t have to look far to see how much we rely on freight moving on time. When it doesn’t, projects slow down, costs climb, and crews are left waiting.
Kyle Renfrow’s recent column in the South Carolina Daily Gazette makes an important point: our supply chain is only as strong as the infrastructure behind it. And right now, that system is under strain.
South Carolina’s economy is growing fast, and Upstate is at the center of it. Manufacturing, distribution, and construction all depend on reliable freight.
But our transportation network has not kept pace.
Too much freight is still moving by truck, which means more congestion, more wear on our roads, and more costs pushed onto taxpayers. It’s not a sustainable model.
A stronger rail system offers a clear alternative.
The proposed Union Pacific (UP)–Norfolk Southern (NS) merger is not just about railroads. It’s about building a more connected and more efficient national network, which would reduce delays, cut unnecessary handoffs, and keep goods moving.
Private investment makes this possible without adding new tax burdens on the public, making it a practical solution to a real problem.
South Carolina can’t afford to fall behind. A modern, reliable supply chain is essential to maintaining our economic momentum, and a more connected rail network helps ensure we do exactly that.