UP plots Arkansas infrastructure projects

Union Pacific Railroad will spend $83 million this year to improve railroad infrastructure in Arkansas, the Class I announced late last week in the latest of its state-by-state capital expenditure reports.

The investment will cover a range of projects, including $73 million to maintain track and $9 million to maintain bridges, according to a UP press release.

Key projects planned this year will include:
• $10 million to replace 21 miles of rail between Mulberry and Van Buren;
• $10 million to replace 73,237 railroad ties and install 49,140 tons of ballast between Brinkley and Pine Bluff; and
• $9 million to replace 18 miles of rail between Pine Bluff and Grady.

UP has spent more than $753 million from 2011 to 2015 to improve rail infrastructure in Arkansas.