Union Pacific plans to invest $122m over 2015 in order to improve its infrastructure network across the US. The investment will be comprised of $72m in Louisiana, $27m in Oklahoma, $13m in Nebraska and $10m in Missouri.
The $72m investment in Louisiana is expected to enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency. This investment covers a range of initiatives including $67m to maintain railroad track, $1m to enhance signal systems and $2m to maintain or replace bridges in the state.
Union Pacific’s investment in Oklahoma is made up of $23m to maintain railroad track, $634,000 to enhance signal systems and $3m to maintain or replace bridges in the state.
The $13m investment in Nebraska will be directed to the rail line between Columbus and Grand Island. The railroad will replace 36,200 railroad ties and install 153,000 tons of rock ballast.
The $10m earmarked for Missouri will be spent on the rail line between St. Louis and near Washington. Union Pacific will replace 61,000 railroad ties, install 31,600 tons of rock ballast and replace nearly one mile of rail in various curves. In addition, crews will repair the surfaces at 49 road crossings.
Union Pacific plans to spend $4.2bn across its network in 2015, following investments totaling more than $31bn from 2005-2014. These investments contributed to a 38% decrease in derailments over the last 10 years.
