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(Camanche, IA) -- The U.S. Surface Transportation Board is approving the first major rail merger in two decades.
The Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern $31 billion merger was approved Wednesday.
Train traffic in the Quad Cities and nearby areas is expected to triple due to the merger.
Residents have expressed concerns over blocked crossings and additional noise.
The merger creates the only railroad linking Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
More than 800 new union jobs are expected to be created nationwide according to the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.