UP slates infrastructure upgrades in Nevada, Wyoming

Union Pacific Railroad has released its 2016 infrastructure improvement plans for two more states: Nevada and Wyoming.

The Class I plans to spend $28.5 million this year in Wyoming, including $25.9 million to improve track and $2.4 million to maintain bridges. Key allocations include $7.6 million to replace more than 13 miles of rail on a line between Cheyenne and Granite Canon, and $2.6 million to replace nearly four miles of rail on a line between Rawlins and Rock Springs.

From 2011 to 2015, the railroad spent more than $164 million to bolster its infrastructure in the state.

In Nevada, UP plans to spend $33.7 million this year to improve infrastructure, including $31.2 million to bolster track and $2.4 million to maintain bridges. Key expenditures include $14.5 million to replace 30 miles of rail on a line between Fallon and Lovelock, $7.1 million to replace 56,527 ties in the Winnemucca Subdivision and $3.1 million to replace more than 16 miles of new pad on a line between Caliente and Moapa.

From 2011 to 2015, UP spent more than $180 million to improve its infrastructure in Nevada.

The spending in the two states is part of the Class I's $3.75 billion capital expenditure budget for 2016. UP previously announced its infrastructure improvement plans for Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon and Texas.