Union Pacific to Make Rail Improvements

The company will spend $121m in California and $513m in Texas. This includes funding for track maintenance and bridge maintenance in both states.

Major projects planned for California include $5.1m investment in the line between Galt and Stockton to replace 37,277 railroad ties; $5.8m in Fresno to replace almost 12 miles of new rail, and $5.2m in the line between Delano and Bakersfield to replace 38,882 railroad ties.

In Texas, around $21m will be invested in the line between Pinehurst and Navasota to replace 42 miles of rail, while $22m will be towards the line between San Antonio and Rockdale to replace 183,816 railroad ties and install 53,783t of rock ballast.

The investment in both the states is part of an ongoing investment strategy. From 2011-15, the company invested more than $467m and $3bn in California and Texas respectively to strengthen transportation infrastructure.

Union Pacific’s Western region public affairs vice-president Wes Lujan said: “We constantly evaluate our customers’ needs to make targeted investments that enhance our efficiency and deliver the goods American businesses and families use daily.

“Continuing to aggressively invest in our infrastructure is an important element in Union Pacific’s unwavering safety commitment.”

The company plans to invest $3.75bn across its network this year, following investments totalling more than $33bn from between 2006 and 2015.