OMAHA, Neb. — Trains will run more efficiently and motorists will spend less time at crossings as a result of nearly $11 million in track improvements made by Union Pacific Railroad to its Hiawatha-to-Upland, Kan., line, the company said in a news release.
When the project is complete, crews will have removed and installed more than 72,000 ties, spread more than 30,000 tons of rock ballast to ensure a stable roadbed, renewed road surfaces at 123 crossings and replaced rail in various curves on the line. Work began on the project today and is scheduled to be completed by the end of September.
Union Pacific invested nearly $95 million for capital projects in Kansas in 2008.
During 2009, Union Pacific plans to invest $1.7 billion in strengthening the track infrastructure across its more than 32,000-mile system. This extensive investment in the railroad’s track helps ensure Union Pacific has the capability to offer quality, safe and cost-effective service to meet its customers’ current and future transportation needs.
Improved and additional rail capacity benefits everyone. It allows freight rail service to grow, helping to build a cleaner environment — freight trains are four times more fuel efficient than trucks. Motorists also benefit from reduced congestion on America’s highways since a single train can remove up to 300 trucks off our roads.
