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Union Pacific Railroad is improving 95 crossing surfaces and upgrading track on two lines in the San Antonio area to increase train speed.

On Monday, UP plans to begin increasing train speed on a line serving City Public Service's J.T. Deely Power Plant. Speed will be increased 10 mph each week until a maximum 30 mph speed is reached Feb. 8. Currently, trains move 10 mph over the line because of track and operating constraints.

Under a $4.7 million project, UP crews have replaced seven miles of rail, installed 22,200 ties and spread 7,200 tons of ballast. The railroad also will upgrade surfaces at 40 crossings along the line.

On Feb. 15, UP plans to begin increasing train speed on a line between downtown San Antonio and outlying rock quarries. The railroad will increase speed 5 mph each week until a maximum 25 mph speed is reached March 1. Trains also currently move 10 mph over this line because of track and operating constraints.

Earlier this month, crews began replacing four miles of rail, installing 21,000 ties, spreading 7,200 tons of ballast and upgrading 55 crossing surfacess. The $5.9 million project is scheduled to be completed by February's end. UP expects to complete crossing surface upgrades on both lines by May.