UP called the corridor “a primary shipping lane,” with the investment part of the $3.3 billion the railroad plans to spend in 2011 on its 32,000-mile network.
“When complete, this multiyear double-track project will help us operate more efficiently, increase train velocity and support our ability to add capacity as our customers’ freight transportation needs grow,” said Randy Blackburn, Union Pacific regional vice president – North.
UP began construction this year on three miles of a second mainline and a three-mile passing track west of Missouri Valley, with the work scheduled for completion by mid-2012. Ultimately, UP plans to add 29 miles of second mainline track between Fremont and Missouri Valley, a project that will save trains two to four hours travel time, the railroad said.
“Trains traveling from the West Coast to Chicago operate over Union Pacific’s central corridor,” UP said. “When eastbound trains get to Fremont, they operate either through Blair, Neb., to Missouri Valley, to continue east to Chicago, or they go to Omaha, then north to Missouri Valley to continue east. The Blair route is 25 miles shorter than the Omaha route. Though shorter, the Blair line is currently single track and train capacity is limited between Missouri Valley and Fremont.”
