CN cleared to acquire Wisconsin Central

The Government of Canada’s Competition Bureau has completed its review and cleared CN’s proposed acquisition of Wisconsin Central Transportation Corporation.

In the United States, the Surface Transportation Board continues to review the proposed CN/WCTC merger. The STB, which is treating the transaction as a minor one for regulatory review purposes, has established a schedule anticipating a final agency decision in the merger proceeding by Sept. 7, 2001, if no environmental assessment is required and there is no oral argument.

The CN/WCTC merger will secure CN ownership and control of a link in its NAFTA network between Superior, Wisconsin, and Chicago, Illinois. It will also generate service efficiency gains for shippers and enhance transportation competition. CN will maintain existing rail gateways affected by the transaction.