August 16, 2026 to August 22, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning the trucking, rail, and shipping industries, ports, storage centers, cargo and container terminals, international and inter-provincial logistics, fulfillment centres, courier and delivery services. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Freight & Transport? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Oil & Gas and Defence. Also consider subscribing to our Freight & Transport - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Surface Transportation Board Moves Forward on Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Rail Merger Review

The Surface Transportation Board has lifted its hold on the proceedings regarding Union Pacific Corporation’s proposed acquisition of Norfolk Southern Corporation, consolidating the two Class I railroads. The Board adopted a procedural schedule beginning August 18, 2026, with a series of deadlines through May 2027 for comments, responsive applications, and evidentiary filings. The applicants are now required to submit unfiltered data on route impacts by August 28. The Board denied requests for expedited review of issues regarding the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis, stating that control matters will be assessed as part of the overall transaction. Interested parties must file notices of intent to participate by September 4, and responsive applications by September 9. The schedule includes opportunities for public hearings and post-hearing briefs, and the Board aims to issue its decision within 90 days of the record’s close, subject to environmental review completion.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

DOT Requests Public Input on America's Great Corridors of Commerce Utility Colocation Initiative

The U.S. Department of Transportation released a request for information on its America's Great Corridors of Commerce (AGCC) initiative, seeking industry and public comments by September 12 on models for utility colocation along highway and rail rights-of-way. The AGCC aims to allow transportation assets to host utility infrastructure, including power and broadband, generating potential new revenue streams for corridor owners and facilitating economic development. Selected corridors would receive technical assistance from a federal task force, with a focus on permitting and environmental review streamlining. DOT outlines a public-private partnership model for corridor management, including long-term leases and business development responsibilities. The solicitation addresses technical, regulatory, and cross-jurisdictional challenges, as well as opportunities for financial incentives and utility rate stabilization.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Federal Maritime Commission Records New Vessel Sharing and Shipping Agreements

The Federal Maritime Commission published notice of two new agreements: an amendment to the Somers Isles Shipping Agreement affecting Bermuda-related cargo operations and the updating of the THE Alliance/Evergreen Vessel Sharing Agreement to remove Hapag-Lloyd AG as a party and rename the agreement. Interested parties may submit comments by email or mail within 12 days of notice for general agreements, or within 7 days for expedited review requests. Full agreement texts are available online, and the Commission notes potential changes to cargo handling authority within the Bermuda agreement.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

BTS Launches Survey for Expanded Intermodal Air-to-Truck Freight Facility Mapping

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has initiated a single-occurrence survey to update its geospatial dataset of intermodal air-to-truck freight and mail facilities for the National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD), expanding coverage to 113 major U.S. airports that handled roughly 98 percent of air freight in 2024. Respondents, airport industry experts, are asked to verify facility locations and operational attributes via a web-based questionnaire and mapping interface. The update addresses prior concerns raised in the GAO-25-107334 report regarding air cargo infrastructure data reliability. Results will be published online, with the collection estimated to require a total respondent burden of 56.5 hours.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Cabinet Officials Announce Infrastructure and Supply Chain Initiatives Nationwide

According to the White House, President Trump’s Cabinet members are conducting nationwide outreach events to showcase administration policies impacting energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing. Secretary Sean Duffy announced new transportation investments in Tampa and Cincinnati; Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reported on agricultural exports and Apple’s manufacturing expansion; and Small Business Administration chief Kelly Loeffler detailed increased lending limits for small businesses. The officials also addressed issues related to workforce development, veterans' care, maritime access, and regional supply chain resilience.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

Lifeline for First Responders Act

Bill 10116, the Lifeline for First Responders Act, was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill pertains to transportation and public works policy areas.

Sources: www.congress.gov

STOP Improper Licensing Act

Bill 10123, STOP Improper Licensing Act, was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for further consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Mail Theft and Postal Key Crime Prevention Act of 2026

Bill 10124, titled the Mail Theft and Postal Key Crime Prevention Act of 2026, was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. The measure targets security of postal operations.

Sources: www.congress.gov

National Flood Impact Reduction and Resilience Act of 2026

Bill 10120, National Flood Impact Reduction and Resilience Act of 2026, was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It addresses water resource development and resilience.

Sources: www.congress.gov

AWRC Act of 2025

Bill 7889, the AWRC Act of 2025, dealing with water resources development, was placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 665.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Warehouse Operators Accelerate Automation: US warehouse facilities are adopting new automation technologies to boost operational efficiency.
• Houthi Threat to Red Sea Shipping Rises: Ongoing disruptions in the Red Sea are affecting maritime freight carriers and supply chains.
• NEWSLETTER: El Niño and its effects on food supply chains: El Niño conditions have impacted international food logistics and supply chain planning.
• Suspected sabotage attack fails to disrupt Milrem deliveries to Ukraine: Milrem maintains scheduled deliveries to Ukraine despite an alleged sabotage attempt.
• US Postal Service issues rules to tighten mail-in voting if court gives OK: USPS is prepared to implement stricter mail-in ballot protocols, pending court approval.
• Vietnam to address US transshipment concerns constructively, foreign ministry says: Vietnam intends to resolve US shipping transshipment concerns through dialogue.
• Maritime: Industry developments and policy updates affecting US maritime operations are tracked by Politico.

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