OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific will improve part of Iowa’s transportation infrastructure with a more than $8.5 million investment to its rail line that runs from near Clinton to near Blairstown, Iowa.
The projects include removing and installing nearly 54,000 ties, spread 33,500 tons of rock ballast to ensure a stable roadbed, renew the surfaces in 79 road crossings. The tie replacement project began May 1 and is scheduled to be completed by the first week of June.
The road surfacing improvement projects began in April and are scheduled to be completed in November. Crews will also replace a total of nearly 2.5 miles of rail in curves between Clinton and Ames. That project begins in mid June and will be completed by mid July.
Union Pacific plans to spend approximately $2.5 billion in 2010 to support America’s current and future freight transportation needs and enhance the safety and efficiency of the railroad’s 32,000-mile network. Investment in rail capacity benefits everyone.
It allows freight rail service to grow, helping to build a cleaner environment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, freight trains are nearly four times more fuel efficient than trucks. Motorists also benefit from reduced congestion on highways as a single Union Pacific train can remove up to 300 trucks off our roads.
