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On Monday, BNSF Railway Co. began a 54-day track maintenance project on its Springfield Division mainline between Thayer, Mo., and Memphis, Tenn., in the Thayer South Subdivision.

The project includes upgrading 111 miles of track; rehabilitating two bridges; improving 22 grade crossing surfaces; and surfacing rail, and cleaning and replacing ballast over 79 track miles. About 180 employees will work between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday to complete the project by May 27.

The upgraded line will help the railroad improve service for shippers, particularly southeastern utilities, BNSF officials said in a prepared statement.

The Class I will reroute corridor traffic — even during non-maintenance hours — to complete the project, which will require 44 unit trains of ballast.