UP unveils infrastructure projects for Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin

Union Pacific Railroad last week announced plans to upgrade its infrastructure this year in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Montana.

Between 2011 to 2015, the Class I has invested more than $50 million in Minnesota, $46 million in Wisconsin and $5.8 million in Montana on infrastructure improvements, according to UP press releases.

In Minnesota, UP will spend $9.1 million to maintain track and $800,000 to maintain bridges. Key allocations will include $3.3 million to replace ties between Mankato and St. James, and $800,000 to replace nearly 5,000 ties on yard and industry track in St. Paul and South St. Paul.

In Wisconsin, the Class I will invest $1.4 million on bridge maintenance and $600,000 on track maintenance. Major budget items this year will include a $340,000 project to replace a half mile of rail between Wilson and Eau Claire, and $160,000 project to replace a quarter mile of rail between Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls.

In Montana, UP will complete $1.7 million worth of projects, including the replacement of 11,419 ties along the Montana Subdivision south of Lima.

UP plans to spend about $3.7 billion on infrastructure work across its network this year, following investments totaling $33 billion between 2006 and 2015, company officials said.