UP unveils plans to upgrade infrastructure in four states

Yesterday and today, Union Pacific Railroad announced plans to improve rail infrastructure in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri.

In Iowa, UP plans to spend more than $109 million this year, including $105 million to maintain track, $1.5 million to enhance signal systems and $2.8 million to maintain or replace bridges in the state. Key investments include:


• $18.3 million to replace more than 34 miles of rail, repair the surfaces at 37 grade crossings and replace seven switches on a line between Bradford and near Mason City;
• $13.3 million to replace nearly 23 miles of rail, repair the surfaces at 30 crossings and replace nine switches on a line between Garden City and Grant; and
• $12 million to replace 83,300 ties and install 25,100 tons of ballast on a line between Ames and near Belle Plaine. In addition, crews will repair surfaces at 67 crossings.


In Missouri, UP has budgeted $66 million for maintenance-of-way (MOW) work, including nearly $48 million to maintain track, $8 million to enhance signal systems, and $10 million to maintain or replace bridges. Key investments include:

• $12.2 million to upgrade a line between Marshall and near Jefferson City by replacing 82,600 ties, installing 46,000 tons of ballast and repairing surfaces at 84 crossings;
• $9.7 million to improve a line between St. Louis and near Grey Summit by replacing 61,300 ties, installing 31,600 tons of ballast and repairing surfaces at 49 crossings; and
• $6.9 million to bolster a line between Kansas City and near the Missouri/Kansas border by replacing 47,000 ties, installing 23,300 tons of ballast and repairing surfaces at 138 crossings.

In Colorado, the railroad plans to spend $41 million on MOW, including $34 million to maintain track, $860,000 to enhance signal systems, and nearly $6 million to maintain or replace bridges. Key investments include $20.5 million to upgrade a line between Dotsero and near Palisade by replacing 141,300 ties, installing 53,000 tons of ballast, replacing more than three miles of rail in various curves and repairing surfaces at 40 crossings; and $2.7 million to bolster a line between Denver and near Phippsburg by replacing more than four miles of rail in various curves.

And in Illinois, the Class I has budgeted about $8 million to replace 71,650 concrete ties and install 21,800 tons of ballast on a line between Elburn and East Clinton. The project began April 5 and is scheduled to be completed in August.