Union Pacific to upgrade line in Wyoming, add siding in Oregon

Union Pacific Railroad plans to spend $15 million to upgrade a line between Rawlins and Rock Springs, Wyo.

Crews began the project on June 15 and are expected to complete the trackwork by September's end. The work involves replacing 127,200 ties, installing 61,200 tons of ballast and renewing surfaces at 18 grade crossings.

UP also plans to spend $8.6 million to construct a siding on a mainline in Portland, Ore., between NE 122nd and NE 162nd avenues.

To begin soon and wrap up by year's end, the project calls for building the siding with 5,000 ties, more than 500 tons of ballast and two new switches.

The projects are among nearly 1,500 that UP plans to complete this year across its 32,000-mile network.