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12/13/2023
Union Pacific Railroad's engineering employees have replaced more than 3 million ties in 2023.
Many of the ties being replaced will be used for decades due to a recent investment in recyclable ties made from composite materials, UP officials reported on the company's website.
By working with composite-tie manufacturers, the railroad will reduce CO2 and potential methane emissions, reduce landfill volumes and improve infrastructure standards, UP officials said.
One such partner is Evertrak, a Missouri-based company that produces composite ties from recycled plastic and glass fiber. These composite ties are being installed in areas where the average wood-tie lifespan is eight to 15 years due to decay associated with heat, humidity and subgrade, compared with other areas of the railroad where wood-tie life averages 25 years. Vendors need to manufacture composite ties to meet UP’s specifications of a 50-year lifespan.
For every 1 million composite ties laid, 90,000 tons of plastic are diverted from landfills, according to UP.