ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern and the federal government have settled a lawsuit alleging the railroad company failed to give Amtrak trains preference over freight trains, according to the Department of Justice.

The lawsuit alleged the company did not give trains on the Amtrak Crescent route preference over freight trains. The Amtrak Crescent is a 1,377-mile passenger line between Washington, D.C., and New Orleans that passes through Atlanta. The DOJ said ridership along the route totaled 304,000 riders in 2024.

Norfolk Southern controls 1,140 miles of rail line on the route, according to the DOJ.

The DOJ said Norfolk Southern did not give preference to Amtrak trains on its rails in accordance with federal law.

As part of the settlement, Norfolk Sout

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