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By mid-November, Union Pacific Railroad expects to complete a more than $26 million track improvement project between Schuyler and Duncan, Neb.

Launched on Oct. 2, the project calls for replacing 30 miles of rail and more than 77,000 concrete ties, spreading more than 100,000 tons of ballast and replacing road surfaces at 17 grade crossings.

To complete the work, crews will use the TRT 909, UP’s track renewal train. The TRT 909 can install rail and concrete ties in one pass, and lay up to 5,000 ties in a 12-hour period. The train features 30 cars, three sets of gantry cranes and a conveyor.

Last year, UP spent more than $254 million to upgrade track and improve facilities in Nebraska.

Meanwhile, the Illinois Commerce Commission approved plans to install automatic warning devices at a Norfolk Southern Railway grade crossing in Mt. Vernon. To be completed by October 2010, the $222,300 project calls for installing flashing light signals and gates controlled by constant warning time circuitry.

The state’s Grade Crossing Protection Fund will cover 85 percent of signal installation costs. The city will fund 10 percent of costs and NS will cover the remainder, as well as all operating and maintenance expenses.