UP charts infrastructure projects in Texas

Union Pacific Railroad will spend $383 million to improve its infrastructure in Texas this year, the Class I announced late last week.

The investment will include $289 million to maintain railroad track, $18 million to enhance signal systems and $75 million to maintain or replace bridges, UP officials said in a press release.

Among key projects are: $14 million to replace 27 miles of rail and repair the surfaces at 13 crossings on the rail line southwest of Dalhart; $11 million to replace 20 miles of rail and repair surfaces at six crossings on the rail line near Sierra Blanca; and $12 million to replace 81,077 ties, install 59,435 tons of ballast and repair surfaces at 114 crossings on the line between Waco and Hearne.

This year's capital expenditure in Texas is part of UP's ongoing investment strategy, the company said. From 2010 to 2014, the Class I spent more than $2.7 billion to strengthen its infrastructure in Texas.