UP to invest $119 million in Illinois rail improvements

The railroad’s investment in the state will cover track maintenance, signal systems and road and bridge repairs.    Union Pacific will invest $119 million in 2015 to improve its rail network in Illinois. 
   The railroad’s investment in the state includes nearly $105 million to maintain railroad track, $5 million for signal system improvements, and $9 million to maintain or replace bridges.
   Two key projects included in that budget are $9.7 million to replace 71,000 railroad ties and install 9,175 tons of rock ballast between Chester and Thebes, Ill., in addition to making surface repairs at 66 road crossings, and $8.6 million between O’Hare International Airport and near the Illinois/Wisconsin border to replace more than 15 miles of rail in various locations and repair the surfaces at 40 road crossings.
   From 2010 to 2014, UP has invested more than $840 million strengthening Illinois’ transportation infrastructure.