UP to invest $300m in its infrastructure in seven states

Omaha, Neb.-based Class I railroad Union Pacific will spend more than $318 million on infrastructure improvements across seven U.S. states this year in an effort to boost safety and efficiency.

   Union Pacific Railroad (UP) is investing over $318 million in infrastructure improvements across seven U.S. states to boost both efficiency and safety, the Omaha, Neb.-based Class I railroad said this week.
   The railroad’s investment plans will fund a range of initiatives in Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming.
   “Union Pacific’s targeted investments fund projects that strengthen our railroad tracks, increase safety and minimize delays as trains travel through communities, UP Western Region Public Affairs Vice President Wes Lujan said in a statement.
   “Maintaining a healthy railroad is the foundation of our ability to serve customers and communities,” added UP Northern Region Public Affairs Vice President Donna Kush.
   Key projects planned for this year include:
   An Idaho investment plan that includes $30.2 million to maintain railroad track and $2.1 million to maintain bridges in the state, including a $13.3 million investment in the rail line between Athol and Eastport to replace 29 miles of rail; a $9.9 million investment in the rail line between Athol and Naples on an infrastructure project to clean and replace the rock ballast under the rail line; and $1.8 million investment in the rail line between Athol and Eastport to replace 8,265 railroad ties during a tie replacement project.
   In Colorado, the railroad has earmarked $33 million to maintain railroad track and $1 million to maintain bridges in the state, including $6 million investment in the rail line between Denver and Rollinsville to replace 34,148 railroad ties and install 24,338 tons of rock ballast.
   Also included is $4.5 million investment in the rail line between Bond and Phippsburg to replace 31,662 railroad ties and install 24,165 tons of rock ballast.
   In Illinois, $70 million has been set aside to maintain railroad track and $10 million to maintain bridges. This includes a $6 million investment in the rail line between Elburn and Fulton to replace 16 miles of rail; and a $7 million investment in the rail line between East St. Louis and Chester to replace 59,594 railroad ties and install 27,497 tons of rock ballast.
   UP has earmarked $43 million to maintain railroad track in Missouri, and $3 million to maintain bridges in the state. Key projects include a $12 million investment in the rail line between Labadie and Chamois to replace 92,174 railroad ties and install 34,481 tons of rock ballast; and a $7 million investment in the rail line between Mineral Point and Annapolis to replace 57,489 railroad ties and install 42,462 tons of rock ballast.
   In Wyoming, the railroad has set aside $38 million to maintain railroad track and $2.8 million to maintain bridges, with the two key projects being a $10 million investment in the rail line in eastern Goshen and Niobara counties to replace 68,579 concrete railroad ties and install 21,967 tons of rock ballast; plus a $7 million investment in the rail line between Wamsutter and Rock Springs to replace 58,382 railroad ties and install 39,375 tons of rock ballast.
   In Utah, $40.3 million has been earmarked for railroad track maintenance, and $4.2 million to maintain bridges in the state.
   Key projects planned this year, according to the railroad include an $18.4 million investment in the rail line between Wells, Nevada, and Salt Lake City, Utah, to replace 146,327 railroad ties during a tie replacement project; a $6.8 million investment in the rail line between Lynndyl and Tooele to replace 55,546 railroad ties during a tie replacement project; and a $2.6 million investment in the rail line between Ogden, Utah, and Granger, Wyoming, to replace more than 4 miles of curve rail.
   In Oklahoma, UP says it will invest $40 million to maintain railroad track and $626,000 to maintain bridges in the state.
   Key projects planned include an $8 million investment in the rail line between Parsons, Kan., and Big Cabin, Okla., to replace 62,431 railroad ties and install 28,642 tons of rock ballast; and a $7 million investment in the rail line between the Oklahoma state line and Gore to replace 53,308 railroad ties and install 24,247 tons of rock ballast.