UP charts $513 million in Texas infrastructure upgrades

Union Pacific Railroad will spend $513 million this year to improve transportation infrastructure in Texas, the Class I announced Monday.

The projects will include $429 million to maintain track and $79 million to maintain bridges, according to a UP press release.

Key projects will include $21 million to replace 42 miles of rail line between Pinehurst and Navasota; and $22 million to replace 183,816 ties and install 53,783 tons of ballast between San Antonio and Rockdale.

The capital expenditure in Texas is part of UP's ongoing strategy to invest in maintaining and upgrading its network infrastructure. From 2011 to 2015, UP spent more than $3 billion in Texas alone.

"We constantly evaluate our customers' needs to make targeted investments that enhance our efficiency and deliver the goods American businesses and families use daily," said Brenda Mainwaring, UP's vice president-public affairs, Southern region. "Continuing to aggressively invest in our infrastructure is an important element in Union Pacific's unwavering safety commitment."

This year, UP anticipates spending $3.75 billion across its network. From 2006 to 2015, the Class I spent $33 billion. Those investments contributed to a 25 percent decrease in derailments over the past 10 years, UP officials said.