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Next month, Union Pacific Railroad plans to increase train speed in two eastern Nebraska communities to reduce the time motorists spend waiting at grade crossings and increase operational efficency. Speed will increase from 50 mph to 70 mph in Columbus, and from 60 mph to 70 mph in Grand Island.

UP will boost speed in Columbus by 10 mph on Oct. 1 and another 10 mph on Oct. 22. In Grand Island, the Class I will increase speed 10 mph on Oct. 1.   

Last year, the railroad spent more than $26 million to upgrade track from Schuyler, Neb., through Columbus to Duncan, Neb., which was instrumental in accommodating the train speed increases, UP officials said in a prepared statement. This year, the Class I spent more than $20 million to improve track between Grand Island and Gibbon, Neb.