KCSR to upgrade rail line through Missouri, Illinois

Kansas City Southern Railway Co. (KCSR) will spend $20.9 million this year on construction and improvement projects on the Mexico and Roodhouse subdivisions, with work planned between Clark, Mo., and Roodhouse, Ill., the company announced yesterday.

The projects were designed to increase capacity, as well as maintain and enhance safety on parent company Kansas City Southern's cross-border network.

The work will include replacing four miles of rail and 132,000 ties, as well as improvements to more than 60 grade crossings. Work will occur in Centralia, Mexico, Laddonia, Farber, Vandalia, Curryville, Bowling Green and Louisiana, Mo.; and Pleasant Hill, Nebo, Pearl, Hillview and Roodhouse, Ill.

The work is slated to begin July 14 and be completed by Sept. 30.

"KCS, through its U.S. and Mexican subsidiaries, continues to invest in capital projects to expand network capacity, keep maintenance in a regular and healthy cycle, and enhance the safety of our operation," said Chief Executive Officer David Starling. "These investments also help us be an economic growth partner to our customers and the communities through which we operate."