Union Pacific Corp. plans to invest $383 million in 2015 to improve its Texas transportation infrastructure. The company’s says its investment will “enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.”
Union Pacific’s planned investment covers a range of initiatives: $289 million to maintain railroad track, $18 million to enhance signal systems and $75 million to maintain or replace bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:
• $14 million investment in the rail line southwest of Dalhart to replace 27 miles of rail and repair the surfaces at 13 road crossings.
• $11 million investment in the rail line near Sierra Blanca to replace 20 miles of rail and repair the surfaces at 6 road crossings.
• $12 million investment in the rail line between Waco and Hearne to replace 81,077 railroad ties and install 59,435 tons of rock ballast. In addition, crews will repair the surfaces at 114 road crossings.
From 2010 to 2014 Union Pacific invested more than $2.7 billion strengthening Texas’s transportation infrastructure.
“We constantly evaluate our customers’ needs to make targeted investments that enhance our efficiency and deliver the goods American businesses and families use daily,” said Brenda Mainwaring, Union Pacific vice president – public affairs, southern region. “Continuing to aggressively invest in our infrastructure is an important element in Union Pacific’s unwavering safety commitment.”
Omaha-based Union Pacific plans to spend $4.2 billion across its network this year, following investments totaling more than $31 billion from 2005-2014. These investments contributed to a 38 percent decrease in derailments over the last 10 years, according to the railroad. Union Pacific has major operations in Fort Worth.